Patna, Nov 20 (IANS): Bihar has initiated the process to confiscate the properties of 16 criminals, state police officer Wednesday said.

"We have sent a proposal to the Inspector General of Economic Offence Unit for confiscating of properties of 16 criminals and offenders," Senior Superintendent of Police Manu Maharaj said.

He said the list of criminals and offenders includes a Maoist, a builder and gangsters.

According to police officials, Anil Kumar, the managing director of Patna-based Patliputra Builders, who faces several criminal charges, also figures in the list.

"The list includes Pradyumn Sharma, a Maoist," a police officer said.

Maharaj told IANS here that the move will help the state government to hit at the root of illegal financial sources of criminals and offenders.

"It was decided to hit at the backbone of their money power," he said.

Last year, Bihar Police initiated a move to confiscate properties of notorious criminals in a bid to hit criminals and deter crime, especially after rags-to-riches stories of many criminals and offenders came to light.

Bihar Police began confiscating properties of Maoists this year, prompting the union home ministry asked Maoist-affected states to follow Bihar's example.

Police officials said hardcore Maoist leaders accumulated huge properties through extortion from proprietors of several private construction companies engaged in building roads and bridges and other development-related works.