MAOIST guerrillas have warned Lakshmi Mittal, the world’s largest steel-maker, to stay away from mining ore in the eastern Jharkhand state – or face violence.
“We are ready with a blueprint to prevent Mittal’s entry into the region,” said Maoist spokesman Rakeshji, who uses only one name.
The local population would lead the agitation with Maoist backing, he said, in a bid to prevent the area’s mineral iron ore wealth from being exploited by Mittal’s company, ArcelorMittal. It plans to invest nearly $900 million (€706 million) in the Karampada region, some 150km from the provincial capital, Ranchi.
Maoist threats have reportedly led the provincial administration to reconsider its mining policy, although no final decision has been taken.
To reinforce their threats against multinational corporations (MNCs) and large local companies, Maoist cadres have increased attacks on state-owned and government-operated mines in the mineral-rich region, and on railways that transport the material.
They also raid banks and police armouries to fund and equip their growing cadres, estimated at between 15,000 and 20,000 members.
Officials said the Maoists were also capitalising on the fears of tribal people concerned about losing land and forest rights to industrial and mining projects.
“The MNC incursion has already brought thousands into our ranks,” a Maoist leader said.
Over the past decade, the Maoists, who have expanded their area of operation across India, have accused MNCs of colluding with local governments to oppress the poor.
Prime minister Manmohan Singh believes the Maoist insurgency is India’s “greatest internal security challenge”, which caused the deaths of 3,457 between 2003 and 2009. In April, Maoist rebels killed 75 paramilitary personnel in central India in their largest-ever attack on security personnel.
