Maoists threaten to attack NALCO mine

BHUBANESWAR, India (Reuters) - Security was tightened at the National Aluminium Co Ltd (NALCO) bauxite mine, after the company received a letter from suspected Maoists threatening to attack the site, a top official said on Wednesday.

"The letter came to us by post few days ago and we have beefed up security," P.K. Mohapatra, executive director (mines and refinery) told Reuters.

In April, Maoist rebels attacked the mine in Orissa and killed 10 police before fleeing with explosives.

The mine which has a capacity to produce 4.8 million tonnes of bauxite a year for the company's refinery nearby, had seen a temporary fall in output after the attack in April.

In the letter, the rebels asked NALCO to provide 2,000 contract labourers with permanent jobs within a month.

The rebels regularly carry out similar raids in other factories in eastern and central India as well, officials said.

The Maoists, who say they are fighting for the rights of poor farmers and landless labourers operate in several parts of the country, mostly attacking government personnel and property.