Gumla/Ranchi, Nov. 28: Fear of rebels has once again brought mining, dispatch and transportation of bauxite in Gumla and Lohardaga districts to a grinding halt.

On October 31 night, rebels allegedly owing allegiance to People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI), also known as Jharkhand Liberation Tiger (JLT), set on fire nine dumpers and an earthmover at Serengdag mines in the Bishunpur police station area of Gumla. The attack brought mining activities to a standstill from November 8.

Bauxite, the main ingredient in aluminium production, is mined by Hindalco Industries Limited, a subsidiary of Aditya Birla Group and other private lessees who sell their product to the former.

“We may run out of stock. Bauxite is being supplied from here to Hindalco’s plant in Renookut (Uttar Pradesh) and Muri (Jharkhand). Since November 8 night, dispatch and transportation of the ore has completely stopped because of Naxalite menace in the region,” Hindalco’s senior vice-president, Lohardaga mines division, K.K. Dave told The Telegraph. He added that on November 8 and 9, a statement from PLFI leaders also appeared in a section of the media, directing Hindalco “to stop all activities in the area”.

Gumla police, however, have a different story to tell. “There is some dispute between transporters and truck owners of the region. It is coincidence that the rebel attack and payment-related dispute occurred simultaneously. Mining, dispatch and transportation activities of bauxite are likely to resume as soon as the payment issue is resolved,” said Gumla SP N.K. Singh.

But those in the business of bauxite transportation confirmed that the main reason behind stalled activities was fear of rebels in the area. “It seems some new group has started demanding levy. They torched mining equipment to make their presence felt. One cannot operate without striking a peace deal with rebel outfits active in the area,” said a businessman from Ghaghra.

Bauxite mining is the main economic activity of the region, surrounded by a plateau and the picturesque Netarhat valley, which, under normal circumstances, sees hundreds of loaded trucks plying between Bishunpur and Lohardaga via Ghaghra, Gumla.

Almost 2,500-3,000 tonnes of ore is transported daily. From Lohardaga, it goes to Renookut, Muri and other parts of the country. Vedanta Group companies also get bauxite supply for its refineries and smelters from private lessees of the region.

This is not the first time rebel activities have hit bauxite supply. Last year, as many as 150 days of production were lost due to frequent bandhs and attacks by existing and mushrooming rebel outfits. “This year, the scene is no better. Almost 100 non-productive days have passed and we are expecting more,” a Hindalco source said.

Earlier this month, the company had made efforts to restart activities by way of confidence-building measures like token restoration of transportation, but in vain.