Warning against canvassing for the December 18 phase of Jharkhand assembly polls, Maoists on Tuesday burnt the campaign vehicle of an Independent candidate contesting from Panki assembly constituency in Palamau district, the police said.
Armed Maoists intercepted the jeep of Independent candidate Shashi Bhusan Mahato at Telengi village in the constituency and asked his supporters to get down from the vehicle, Deputy Superintendent of Police M K Lal told newsmen here.
Setting ablaze the empty four-wheeler, the Maoists warned the supporters of Mahato, who was not present, against campaigning, Lal said quoting Mahato's supporters.
The police have launched a combing operation in the entire Panki assembly seat area, which goes for polls on the fifth and final phase scheduled on December 18.
