States facing left wing extremism have been advised to set up special cells to combat extortion and money laundering. This will facilitate in preventing the nexus between illegal mining, forest contractors, transporters and extremists.

Giving this information in the Lok Sabha today, Minister of State for Home Jitendra Singh said that the left wing extremist groups, particularly the CPI(Maoist), extort considerable levy from various illegal mining mafia groups in the naxal-affected states. In Jharkhand, these extremist groups extort levy from the illegal coal mining mafia.

Instances of the CPI(Maoist) demanding levy from coal transporters and contractors have also come to notice in Jharkhand. The extortion money collected from various mining-related activities is used to fund the activities of the Naxalites, the Minister said.