Suspected Maoists set ablaze four vehicles engaged in road construction work in Kuchai under Kuchai police station of adjoining Seraikela-Kharswan district yesterday, the police today said.
A group of CPI(Maoists) arrived on motorcycles and torched four vehicles of a road construction company last night, said Superintendent of Police, Indrajeet Mahatha.
Mahatha, who along with DIG (Kolhan) R K Dhan, rushed to the spot today to investigate the incident, said a water carrier, two tractors and a road roller of the construction company were set on fire as the security forces, which have been deployed to secure the completion of the 23 km road between Kathlan to Bababamboo, were mobilised for the first phase of the four-phase Panchayat elections held on Sunday last.
Mahatha said the construction company had already completed construction of about 20 km under protection of the security forces and the remaining three km was about to be completed when the forces had to mobilised for the first phase of polls.
Security forces have launched a combing operation to flush out the ultras, who belonged to the Maharaj Pramanik-led squad, the SP said.
Mahatha assured that the road would be completed under the protection of security forces.
"We have already shifted about a dozen workers of the construction company to the nearby police station and initiative has been taken to complete the road, he added.
