Patna, (Bihar Times): If the latest edition of the Indian Defence Yearbook is to be believed Maoists in Jharkhand earn Rs 320 crore as levy every year. This figure is almost 10 per cent of the total revenue of that state in a year.

The book, quoting Union Home Ministry sources, provides a detailed account of the movement of the Maoists in the state, its growth and activities and says it is eating into the country’s development. States like Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh are the worst hit.

The book says the Naxalites govern the mineral-rich countryside of Jharkhand, slap levy on coal firms, petrol pumps, transporters and contractors involved in building national highways, bridges, canals, forest trade and sale of kendu leaves.

Batches of 50 highly motivated, trained platoons of 35 to 40 men and women are enaged in this business of collecting levies. There are technical and surveillance support forces to back them. This is apart from the people's militia and local guerrilla squads, the book says.

The amount collected by them, according to the book, is used for running the Red Army. The soliddiers are paid the salary between Rs 1,000 and 3,000 per month. Besides, their families are also promised an insurance of Rs 1.25 lakh if they die in encounters.

The favourite weapons of Naxalites are .303 rifles, 7.56mm guns, 9mm pistols, Insas rifles and sten guns. Explosives seized or purchased from mine contractors and the Bharat Coking Coal Limited are also used, the book says. The figures suggest that Naxalites have a strength of 10,000 guerillas and possess more than 20,000 modern equipment, looted from security forces. Besides, they have arms procured from neighbouring Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

The book discloses that leaders of all political parties pay protection money to the Maoists. They generally charge Rs 70,000 per annum from coal firms and Rs 25,000 per annum from transporters.

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