The fear of Maoists has robbed Kali puja of its fanfare.

Till about 2009, fairs were a source of entertainment in Banka district’s rural areas. But fear of the Maoists has put an end to Kali puja fairs.

Balkrishna Das, a resident of Goura village in Chandan block, said: “I used to set up a sweet stall at the fair. Nine employees prepared different sweets for it. Everything was smooth till 2005 when Maoists killed three police officers and the fair was stopped.”

The story is similar across Banka. Several people used to visit the fair at Bagdhaswa village, under the jurisdiction of Belhar police station. “In 2009, the Maoists beheaded one Rajo Hansdak, claiming he was a police informer and the fair closed down,” alleged a resident, Govind Murmu.