Maoists torch houses of three CPI-M supporters in West Bengal

KOLKATA - Armed Maoists torched houses of three supporters of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) in two villages of West Midnapore district in West Bengal late Sunday night, police said.

Two Maoists along with some members of the pro-rebel People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) activists raided the Bachurkhoire and Nubasai villages and set afire the three houses, Jhargram district police superintendent Pravin Tripathy told IANS over phone.

“Both the villages were deserted as people have moved elsewhere in fear of the Maoist guerrillas,” Tripathy said.

He said the police and the fire brigade personnel rushed to the villages under Nayagram block of Jhargram sub-division and the fires were doused.

“The houses were partly damaged,” he added.

The guerrillas are active in the state’s three western districts of West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia.

The Jhargram district police has been carved out of West Midnapore for combating the Left-wing ultras, who have established a strong base in the area.