Naxals in Gadchiroli district of east Maharashtra have burnt down as many as 417 vehicles, collectively worth over Rs 15 crore, in last 25 years as part of their anti-establishment operations, police said today.
"The Maoists, who sneaked in the backward region of State in 1980, gradually resorted to violence and arson. They have so far set ablaze 103 trucks, 151 tractors, 26 road rollers and 33 tippers," the Ant-Naxalite Operations (ANO), a specialized unit of Maharashtra Police, said today.
The total damage to vehicles stood at Rs 15,38,10,649 during the last two-and-a-half-decades.
In an incident dated April 21, a group of ultras set three trucks and 12 four-wheelers, collectively valued at Rs 20 lakh, on fire between Sindha and Dodgiri in Aheri taluka of the district.
Naxals also targeted the Border Road Organisation (BRO) whose mandate was to lay a national highway via Sironcha taluka.
"BRO lost 15 trucks, 10 tippers and JCB machines costing Rs 1,47,45,000 during its camping here," ANO said in a release.
According to ANO, year 2009 was worst as a total of 49 vehicles were targeted. "While it was 30 vehicles in 2011, 28 in 2008, 26 in 2006 and 28 in 2013," ANO added.
