Maoists in Chhattisgarh printing fake notes: security forces find

Bhopal: Security forces involved in an anti-Maoist operation in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district reportedly discovered in Maoist camps equipment used to print fake currency, NDTV reported.

A joint search operation by Sukma Police, District Reserve Guard and the CRPF in the forests of Korajguda Saturday led to the shocking find of fake currency printing equipment, which could negatively impact the local markets.

However it is reported that extensive security operations in the region helped crippling the cash flow to the groups.

NDTV reported, citing District police chief Kiran Chavan, that the search was carried out following intelligence inputs about Maoists printing counterfeit currency in the forest.

Even as the rebels fled the scene, the security forces recovered printing machines, ink, templates and fake notes of several denominations -- ₹ 50, ₹ 100, ₹ 200 and ₹ 500 from their hideout.

Other items recovered from the place include a gun, a wireless set and a huge quantity of explosives.

‘The way they are printing notes, it is understood that the Naxalite organization is facing a shortage of money. The ongoing operations in the interior areas have significantly reduced their funding, prompting them to resort to printing counterfeit currency,’ the senior officer was quoted as saying.

Maoists use fake currency for buying supplies from weekly village markets, potentially destabilizing the local economy.

However, security forces and local authorities are launching awareness campaign among villagers urging them to be ‘vigilant and reject any suspicious currency’.

Maoists reportedly turned to fake currency printing since 2022 to overcome their ‘cash crunch’ and they would use fake notes to buy supplies in local markets.