Three killed as rival Maoist groups clash

RANCHI - Three people, including two Maoists, were killed as rebel groups clashed in Jharkhand Sunday, police said.

According to police, members of the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) attacked Sohban village in Chatra district early Sunday, killing Trititya Prastuti Committee (TPC) area commander Mohan Ganju and his associate Ramdeo Ganju. Another TPC commander, Brajesh Ganju, managed to escape from the village.

After killing the two, the rebels blew up the house in which they were staying.

In retaliation, TPC rebels killed the brother of CPI-Maoist commander Charleji in Latehar district.

CPI-Maoist and TPC are at loggerheads in five districts of the state. In Jharkhand, there are six Maoist ogroups and most of them are fighting with each other over their areas of dominance, where they can collect money from contractors and others.