Four posters, purportedly written by Maoists to trigger panic among local traders, were found in different parts of Khelari, about 40km from the capital, on Friday.

Written in Hindi and bearing the signature of one Shravan Ji, claimed to be a Maoist, the posters read " Thikedar, bhatta malik baat karen" (contractors and kiln owners talk) - a message that local villagers interpreted as a "threat call" to local businessmen for extortion.

The Maoist posters were recovered from Bazar Tand, Karkatta, KDH Chowk and Dhamdhamia - all fall in Kheladi thana area and house around 50-60 brick kilns.

Khelari OC Harendra Rai said the local people spotted the posters pasted on trees and walls in the morning and informed police. Later, a patrolling team went to these places and seized them.

"The Maoists are probably trying to make their presence felt in the area. Generally, they circulated such posters to trigger panic among local people and extort money from traders and contractors," he said.

OC Rai, however, added that so far it was not clear who Shravan Ji was. "There is no Maoist leader called Shravan Ji in police records. It is quiet possible that someone has done a mischief," he said.

A police source, however, said that it would be wrong to take the posters lightly. "Whenever Maoists need money, they paste such posters to mount pressure on contractors and kiln owners."

A crusher owner at Tupudana said the posters were to inform contractors and businessmen about their presence.

Police should take the matter seriously and arrest those who had pasted them, he added.

Rural SP (Ranchi) Raj Kumar Lakra sought to allay the fear of traders and promised proper action in the matter.