Ranchi, Aug 18 - Maoist rebels set six bauxite-laden trucks on fire in Gumla district of Jharkhand, police said Tuesday.

According to police, Maoist rebels have banned the movement of bauxite-carrying trucks in the district. Early Tuesday morning they set the six trucks on fire near Visunpur block of Gumla district, which is around 140 km from Ranchi.

Police said that Maoist rebels levy a charge from companies to allow transport of bauxite. When companies don't pay, the rebels set the trucks on fire.

Maoist guerrillas are active in 18 of the 24 districts of Jharkhand. Nearly 1,500 people have been killed in Maoist-related violence in the last eight years.