Ranchi, April 14: Kaun banega lakhpati? Beating reality TV, here’s the real challenge — help the police spot landmines and earn up to a lakh.

In the wake of repeated Maoist attacks, the state has decided to use a little help from the public. It has announced cash rewards for those willing to help the men in uniform find illegal arms, ammunition and landmines.

According to the scheme, those helping police locate a landmine or a wireless set or a semi-automatic weapon or a automatic weapon can earn Rs 100,000 at one go.

Spotting guns and pistols can fetch anywhere between Rs 15,000 and Rs 70,000, depending on the notoriety of the weapon in question. A regular single-barrel gun and double-barrel gun can help one earn Rs 20,000 and Rs 40,000, respectively.

Information about illegal country-made bombs in an area can fetch anything between Rs 10,000 and Rs 25,000. While information about cartridges used in pistols and revolvers can get Rs 50 to Rs 100 a piece. The prize money on cartridges used in double and single barrels is Rs 70 a piece.

The home department has announced three telephone numbers — 0651-2400989, 0651-2400623 and 0651-2400781 — and has promised to keep the identity of the caller secret.

State police spokesperson and IG (provision) S.N. Pradhan welcomed the move and said that the rewards would encourage people to share information with the police. “During the last election when this advertisement was published, we had received good response. An amount of Rs 50 lakh was distributed among informers,” he added.

Former director-general of police (DGP) J.B. Mahapatra also hailed the move and said that if implemented properly the plan would help curb Maoist activities to a great extent. He, however, was sceptical about honest implementation of the scheme.

“The scheme will give one ample opportunity to misuse government money. Planting a landmine will hardly cost one Rs 5,000-7,000. If a person plants a landmine and informs the police, he can reap a profit of Rs 93,000. The scheme has ample scope for breeding corruption,” Mahapatra pointed out.

Those residing in extremist-affected areas have also raised doubts over the success of the plan. “Though the offer is lucrative, people residing in Maoist strongholds may not have the courage to speak out. Their lives are more precious than a cash reward,” a resident of Latehar said.

Extremists have become active in several pockets of the state and over 20 cases of Naxalite violence have been reported in the past 45 days. Naxalites have blown up school buildings and block offices and have targeted police teams deputed in jungles and hilly terrain. Last Saturday, five CRPF jawans were killed and three sustained injuries in an encounter with extremists.

So, who’s ready to rise up to the challenge?