Cops in Maoist-hit areas tracking Rs2,000 currency exchanges at banks

Nagpur: The interception of two Maoist sympathisers in Chhattisgarh last week with Rs6 lakh cash in Rs2,000 denomination has prompted cops to step up vigilance at banks and cash deposit machines where currency exchange transactions are allowed. Sources said the Gadchiroli police have stepped up vigilance on the lines of the demonetization period.
It’s learnt substantial cash was shifted from Torgatta in Etapalli taluka of Maharashtra, where mining and infrastructure work is being opposed by camping tribals since March 11, to Silgeri in Chhattisgarh, where a similar agitation is underway. The leader of the Silgeri agitation is now in police custody for carrying cash to a bank for exchange, sources said.
A source in the intelligence said Maoists across the nation are hurrying to exchange the Rs2,000 currency. The Maoists are known to keep a lot of cash in ‘dumps’ in remote forests. Sources said Maoists are desperate to exchange currency as they had suffered a huge jolt financially during demonetization. The reds are accessing old money dumps in forests to retrieve Rs2,000 currency and get it exchanged.
With tendu leaves collection season underway, cops are also keeping watch on tendu contractors. Sources said the Maoists receive crores every year from tendu contractors and godown owners as ‘protection money’.
SP Neelotpal said cops are keeping an eye on the Maoists’ supporters. “We are trying to curtail logistics and financial supply chains of the Maoists. We are making it difficult for them to depositing or exchange currency, while also stopping their supply of cash,” said Neelotpal, adding police stations have been told to ensure no banks or banking system can be accessed by Maoists.
State Anti-Naxal Operation cell chief deputy inspector general of police Sandip Patil said Maoists often use jan militia and their leaders for logistics and financial activities. All of these are now under the scanner. “We are also keeping watch in districts adjoining Gadchiroli and Gondia, where Maoists may send cash for exchange,” said Patil.
Intelligence suggests the Maoists may now send cash in smaller amounts with agents, instead of big amounts, after the Chhattisgarh police action.
Officials say the Maoists are in need of finance to arm military formations, and purchase modern electronic and communication gadgets after the Indian government stepped up security action in Central India’s Dandakaranya zone comprising Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and parts of Telangana and Odisha.