Patna: The state government in Bihar headed by chief minister Nitish Kumar has announced a reward of Rs4.8 million (Dh273,183) on 45 dreaded Maoists accused of killing security forces, blowing up government buildings and disturbing peace in the region.

Most of the rebels who carry rewards on their heads come from 10 districts considered the most sensitive. Of them, 23 alone belong to Jamui district of Bihar.

Of the total rebels, three carry rewards of Rs500,000 each on their heads, while one has a reward of Rs300,000. Another three have rewards of Rs200,000 each, while carry 33 a reward of Rs50,000 each while the remaining four attract a reward of Rs25,000 each on their heads, according to an official report.

The most dreaded rebels among the list are Arvind Kumar Singh alias Devji, a Maoist polit bureau member wanted in as many 13 cases of violence, and Vijay Yadav alias Sandeep accused of killing 10 security forces in landmine blast last year.

The announcement of reward comes amid reports of rebels planning for a major strike on jails and prison vans to free five of their comrades awarded death sentence by a local court last month for killing security forces during the last 2015 Lok Sabha polls.

All the five condemned Maoists are currently lodged in the Bhagalpur central jail of eastern Bihar.

As per intelligence reports, the Maoists central committee has entrusted a particular squad to carry out the jailbreak plan, prompting the authorities to beef up security arrangements in and around the jail.

Although two companies of Bihar Military Police are already deployed in jail security, authorities have requisitioned one more company for further intensifying jail security.

“We have beefed up security arrangements around the jail and are also keeping a close watch on the people coming to meet the five Maoists sentenced to death,” inspector general of police Sushil Khopde told the media today.

Last month, a local court in Bihar had awarded death sentence to five Maoists after finding them guilty of killing security personnel during the last Lok Sabha elections. The rebels awarded death sentence included Vipin Mandal, Adhiklal Pandit, Ratu Koda, Bano Koda and Mannu Koda.

The angry rebels have also threatened to kill the judge Jyoti Swarup Shrivastava who pronounced the judgment.