Joda: Police Saturday busted a fake Maoist extortion racket and arrested its mastermind and another three for extortion from industrialists and businessmen in the mining belt of Joda and Barbil.
Keonjhar SP Jaynarayan Pankaj explained the details of the case in a press meet at his office Saturday.
A month back, a group of 20 people armed with weapons went to the main gate of Ardent Steel Company and handed over a letter to the security guard, demanding Rs 3 crore as booty from the company.
However, during investigation and raids in both Odisha and Jharkhand, police learnt about the involvement of a fake racket. These fake Maoists have been involved in such cases in Jharkhand.
The modus operandi of the gang is to shortlist big industrialists, businessmen and extort money from them.
The miscreants had mastered the art by using the language mostly spoken by Maoists. They even followed their accent, style and looks.
They wore Maoist uniforms and copied their marching pattern, used the words such as lal salaam, sangathan, comrade, kranti, etc to confuse their victim.
Acting on a tip-off, the police had first arrested three from the gang.
Based on their revelations, the mastermind Abdul Gafur Ahmed has also been nabbed.
“The police have seized a pistol, two ammunition, three country-made guns, five mobile phones, a Tata Sumo, a motorcycle and Rs 50,000 from their possession. We are hopeful of nabbing the rest fo them very soon,” said the SP.
SP Jaynarayan Pankaj said, “We appeal all concerned that if they ever face any threatening or extortion call, please contact the police. We will ensure your safety and security, and also arrest the culprits.”