Agartala, May 26: The ongoing construction work on the Kumarghat-Agartala railway track is likely to suffer a setb-ack as a result of extortion thr-eats from banned militants.

The workers, who have been recruited to complete the work on the 110-km-long railway track by the end of 2007, are now facing extortion threats from militants.

Lately, rebels of the All Tripura Tiger Force and the National Liberation Front of Tripura have been moving around the Atharomura hill ranges. Due to a funds crunch, the rebels are trying to build up funds by extortion drives.

The NLFT rebels have also set up temporary camps in the Atharomura ranges.

In December last year, the NLFT rebels had sent a ?tax? notice to the Silchar-based contractor firm executing the work, through local labourers. However, the militants were unsuccessful in extorting money.

The tight security cover around the work site also deterred the militants from attacking or extorting the staff members.

On receiving information from surrendered militants, sources in the special branch (intelligence wing) of the state police disclosed that the Tiger Force as well as the NLFT have been facing a severe funds crunch.

?We have reports that the militants have become desperate for money as the condition in their camps in Bangladesh has become critical,? sources said, adding that the outfits are now trying to extort money by abducting central government staff who are executing projects in Tripura.

Sources, however, said security cover for railway workers and officials at work sites had been tightened fearing possible attacks.

?We believe that the security arrangements already made will be enough to keep the militants at bay as all the TSR, Assam Rifles and CRPF staff posted in and around the sites have been put on maximum alert,? sources said.

Between 1999 and 2003, railway workers and officials were abducted in groups and released only after paying a hefty ransom.