Chatra, Aug 22: Maoists reportedly set ablaze two vehicles in front of house of one Saantan Ganju, who they suspect to be police informer. The chilling incident has been reported near the Odisha-Jharkhand border, targeting Santan, a resident of Lembodihi village in Bisanpur, Chatra district.

According to reports, a group of 30–40 armed cadres stormed the village late at night. Unable to locate Santan, the extremists locked the doors of Santan’s house and neighbouring homes from the outside then set fire to two vehicles parked outside his home — a tractor and a passenger vehicle.

The attack is believed to be retaliation for Santan’s cooperation with local police in exposing illegal opium cultivation in nearby forested areas.

Santan had earlier provided crucial intelligence to the police, leading to the destruction of opium fields allegedly used to fund Maoist operations. He even supplied a tractor to assist in the eradication efforts. Following the crackdown, several individuals were arrested and sent to court.

One of the accused, after being released from jail, reportedly informed the Maoists about Santan’s role.

Following the incident, police have intensified combing operations, aiming to track down the Maoist squad responsible.