MCC men threaten block officials

JAMSHEDPUR: After the People's War (PW), the outlawed Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) now has issued threats to block-level government functionaries and politicians in the East Singhbhum district here.The MCC pasted a note outside the office of the Chakulia block development officer (BDO), threatening government staff, including the junior engineer, with dire consequences if they did not stop their corrupt practices.The note also warns the local leaders of the BJP as well as the JMM.The police said on Tuesday that the self-styled area commander of Dumaria, Arjun Kudada, has issued the letter. Kudada is believed to be a native of Chaibasa in the neighbouring West Singhbhum district. A copy was the note was also pasted on the entrance to the block office.The security agencies are alarmed at the incident that is "yet another indicator" of both the PW and the MCC attempting to "encircle" Jamshedpur, the hub of industrial activities in the state. The banned outfits are already believed to have "surrounded" Ranchi.The MCC warning came even as the district police intensified operation to flush out PW extremists from Ghurabandha area of the district. The PW allegedly had a few weeks ago beaten to death two village chowkidars for passing on information to the police. The PW circulated pamphlets warning the district superintendent of police and sub-divisional magistrate, Ghatsila, a few days ago.The MCC, which is said to trying to gain a foothold in Chakulia bordering West Bengal, had early this year issued a similar threat to a PDS dealer in Shyamsundarpur village. The banned outfit reportedly collected "levies" or taxes for bidi patta dealers and civil contractors.The police believe the recent incident to be the handiwork of MCC activists from the neighbouring state of West Bengal. "The MCC has come under intense pressure from the West Bengal police. It is possible that some of its members may have sneaked into Jharkhand." An MCC activist was recently arrested from Saraikela-Kharsawan district's Chandil area near here. The member was picked up while trying to extort money from a church-run school.