Maoists kill CPI-M leader in West Bengal

Kolkata, Oct 19 (IANS) Maoist guerrillas Tuesday killed a Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader and injured another in West Bengal's Purulia district, police said.

'Sitanath Singh Sardar, CPI-M's Dadra local committee secretary, was shot dead and Yudhisthir Mondal, vice-chairman of Balarampur Panchayat Samity, was shot at by a gang of suspected Maoists at Chawkbazar area of Balarampur block Tuesday evening,' said Purulia Superintendent of Police Rajesh Yadav.

Yudhisthir was taken to Tata Hospital in Jamshedpur, where his condition is reported to be critical, he said.

Locals said a group of 10-12 rebels attacked the CPI-M leaders when they were sitting in front of a shop in Chawkbazar. The rebels fired at them and fled.

Yadav said: 'An investigation has been initiated and security personnel are conducting search operations in the area.'

The Maoists are mainly active in the state's three western districts of Purulia, Bankura and West Midnapore.