Ranchi: The outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist)threatened Jharkhand artistes with dire consequences if they participate in plays that highlight the group's terrorist activities.

Chhotanagpur Zonal Committee of CPI-Maoist issued a statement saying: "We are not against dramas and songs but the artistes are being used by the state police against us. The state police use the dramas and artistes to speak against us."

Jharkhand police regularly organises plays in rural areas to inform villagers about the Maoists' terror activities and to show how they exploit people.

A police officer involved in anti-Maoist operations told IANS: "The Maoists fear that they will be exposed. They claim to fight for the poor and downtrodden but exploit them. We are trying to show villagers the truth."

Maoist rebels are active in 18 of the 24 districts of the state. At least 714 civilians and 320 security personnel have been killed in Maoist related violence in the last seven years.