CPI-M leader shot dead by suspected Maoists

KOLKATA - A local leader of Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) was killed by suspected Maoists in West Bengal’s West Midnapore district Wednesday, police said.

Nihar Mahato was called out from his house in Sukna village under Jhargram sub- division and shot dead by the Leftwing ultras, police said.

“Mahato was a local CPI-M leader,” Inspector General of Police (Western Range) Zulfiqar Hassan said.

Superintendent of Police (Jhargram) Praveen Tripathi, said: “We recovered Mahato’s body in the morning.”

Purulia, West Midnapore and Bankura are the three districts of West Bengal where Maoists are active.

Jhargram is 260 km from Kolkata.