Maoists kill three people in West Bengal

KOLKATA - Three people, including a woman, in West Bengal’s West Midnapore district have been killed by suspected Maoists, police said Monday.

“A group of ultra Left rebels attacked Ganakkata village in Jhargram sub-division Sunday night and dragged out Sandhyarani Mahato, Rashbihari Mahato and Owahed Ali from their houses. Their bullet-ridden bodies were recovered this (Monday) morning,” additional superintendent of police (operations) Mukesh Kumar told IANS over phone.

“Rashbihari was a supporter of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), while Owahed Ali was an employee of the local block office,” said Kumar.

“During preliminary investigations, it was learnt that Sandhyarani was killed because her son is a jawan of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), who is participating in the ongoing anti-Maoist operations in Lalgarh and adjoining areas,” said Kumar.

“Owahed was shot dead as his brother joined the state police as an assistant sub-inspector in Howrah district,” the official added.

“Rashbihari was given punishment for allegedly working as a police informer,” he said.

“In the past two days, five people have been killed in Jhargram…it is a matter of concern. Though several hard core Maoists have been killed or arrested, a few others are still active in the area. We are intensifying patrolling and police camps are being set up in the area,” said Kumar.

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