Ranchi: Maoist posters calling for a bandh on August 3, in support of pathalgadi and against various other issues in several districts that have seen a series of tribal self-rule protests, have put state police on alert.

ADG (operations) and senior police spokesman R.K. Mallick said they were prepared to deal with any eventuality. "We have given necessary directions to SPs and other police officers concerned," he said.

CPI(Maoist) posters that also urge people to observe August 2 as a protest day were recovered from various districts that have seen pathalgadi protests, such as Khunti, Saraikela-Kharsawan and West Singhbhum, in addition to Ranchi and Giridih.

In Bundu (Ranchi), a poster was pasted on the gates of the nagar parishad office. At Seraikela, a poster was spotted at a bus stop.

In Jharkhand, the bandh has been called against amendments in tenancy laws, alleged victmisation of weaker sections of society, especially tribals, weakening panchayati raj institutions and the government's backing of industrial giants.

Police sources said that most of the villages where the posters were found were notorious for producing opium and marijuana, a trade patronised by left wing extremists. Police believe getting the rebels' backing on pathalgadi local tribals were trying to protect the illegal trade.

Buses trucks are expected to stay off roads during the bandh. "Who will take a risk," commented Ranchi Bus Owners' Association president Krishna Mohan Sharma.

ADG Mallick said Maoists showing support to pathalgadi protests was a desperate move. He argued that since most of those behind the self rule protests were either behind bars or absconding, Maoist gun lords were trying to prove a point.

"Pioneers of the pathalgadi movement were hand in glove with PLFI rebels. This can be proved. But, it is very difficult to confirm whether pathalgadi leaders had contacted Maoists and sought their support. However, we are keeping a watch," he said.