New Delhi, July 3 Villagers in Saraikela region of Jharkhand have claimed that the government has been using the Maoist threat as an excuse for shirking away from initiating development projects in the region.

"The government says that it is a Maoist affected area. The government is equally responsible. They shrug off their responsibility blaming everything on the Naxalites. They have failed to provide basic facilities like transport, water and healthcare. How will there be development?" said Raj Kumar, a local resident.

According to locals, a dam that was being built in the area, has also been halted due to 'naxal threat'.

"If we go to any government officer or any government employee they tell us that the village is Maoist affected, hence there can be no development in the region," said Amar Nath Singh.

Although villagers accept that Maoist threat is prevalent in the area, but they hold poor governance, lack of amenities and excessive poverty responsible for the menace.

"The government has not been able to work properly. It is because of lack of development that there are Maoists, there is lack of education, especially amongst children, which is leading to such things," said Kanchann Singh Munda, a local resident. (ANI)