Bhubaneswar: Unidentified miscreants allegedly set a JCB machine on fire at the Unit-2 government quarters area here late Wednesday and left behind a poster purportedly in the name of Maoists, demanding 50 lakh from the contractor engaged in demolition work.
The incident occurred near the site where demolition work was underway for construction of ‘Janashraya Bhawan’. The JCB had been deployed by the contractor for the project. According to the complaint filed with police, the poster warned the contractor against continuing the work without paying the alleged extortion amount.
The miscreants also reportedly threatened him with dire consequences, including death, if the demand was not met. The JCB supervisor noticed the fire and alerted the fire services. Firefighters reached the spot and brought the blaze under control before the heavy machine could be completely destroyed.
Following the contractor’s complaint, the Commissionerate Police launched an investigation. Three police inspectors visited the site and examined the damaged JCB and the surrounding area as part of the preliminary probe. Police are trying to identify those responsible and determine their motive.