Suspected Maoists kill two CPI-M supporters in Bengal

KOLKATA - Suspected Maoists shot dead two local leaders of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) in West Bengal’s West Midnapore district Wednesday, police said.

“Bodies of Abinash Mahato, the CPI-M zonal committee secretary of Beliabera, and branch committee secretary Nirmal Bag were recovered from Kharbandhi near Lodhashuli in Jhargram sub-division,” Jhargram Police District superintendent Praveen Tripathi said.

No Maoists posters were found from near the bodies but the modus operandi suggested that the rebels were behind the crime, Tripathi said.

Local people said Mahato and Bag, who were residents of Kharbandi area, were dragged from their houses by a group of armed Maoists Tuesday night. They were later taken to a kangaroo court.

Maoists are active in three western districts of the state - West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura.