ET reported naxalites in Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra are trying to exploit the issue to intensify their movements in the district.

The posters pasted by Naxals on the gram panchayat buildings at Khutgaon and Mendhatola on Republic Day contained provocative statement, instigating the villagers to rage struggle against the government policy of acquiring land to set up industries.

The posters with slogans such as “We will not give our land to Capitalists and Imperialists”, “We will sacrifice the lives, but will not leave the land” and “Take the path of farmers of Nandigram” has already sent the administration and the police in a tizzy.

Mr Gadchiroli Rajesh Pradhan SP of Gadchiroli district said that the target of the Naxals is to motivate people against the administration. He added that “And this time they chose acquisition of land as an issue. They are trying to hit the conscience of the locals by bringing in the Nandigram issue, since it is in news for quite some times."

Surjagarh region in Etapalli tehsil has vast deposits of iron ore and as many as 5 companies will be given the mining lease in this area in coming days. However to execute these mining projects the government will need to rehabilitate around 30 villages in the tehsil. This apart, Reliance has plans to set up a cement factory in Gadchiroli in days ahead.