Suspected Maoists kill one in Bengal

KOLKATA - Suspected Maoists shot dead a middle-aged man in West Bengal’s West Midnapore district, police said Wednesday.

Locals noticed the bullet-ridden body of the victim near Khas jungle in Sankrial, around 150 km from here, and informed the police.

“The victim was killed by suspected Maoists. The body has been recovered, but it is yet to be identified,” said Jhargram superintendent of police Praveen Tripathi.

Locals identified the deceased as Chuni Moni Mahato, a Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) supporter, of Beliabera village near Jhargram, around 140 km from here.

“He along with five other CPI-M activists of Beliabera village were abducted by a Maoist gang Tuesday night. After being detained and tortured for several hours, four of them returned home Wednesday morning, but Chuni Moni and another person were missing,” a villager said.

A police officer said: “We were informed about the abduction of the CPI-M supporters, but no complaint was lodged. And even the supporters who have returned home are not cooperating with us and tell us about the rebels’ whereabouts.”

Meanwhile, several Maoist posters and banners condemning the killing of their politburo leader and party spokesperson Azad were recovered from Jhargram town.

The red-coloured banners stated that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre was responsible for the killing of Azad.