Maoists attack police posse, kill CPI-M activist

KOLKATA - Maoists attacked a police posse in strife-torn Purulia district, injuring eight policemen, and killed a Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) activist in West Midnapore district of West Bengal, police said Monday.

Three senior police officials, including an additional superintendent of police and a deputy superintendent of police, and five constables were wounded when the ultras attacked them while they were preparing to raid Kumra village under Bandwan police station of Purulia district following a tip-off that the left-wing extremists were holding a rally Sunday.

“The police party went to the village on receiving specific information that the Maoists, including some involved in recent killings, had assembled in the area,” Purulia police superintendent Rajesh Yadav told IANS over phone Monday.

When the police personnel reached the village they were attacked with arrows and bricks by a mob, which also carried axes.

Another police officer said Purulia ASP C. Sudhakar was hit by bricks on his face and head, while DSP (headquarters) Tanmay Sarkar fractured his right hand. The officer-in-charge of Bandwan also sustained injuries. Five constables were struck by arrows.

When a baton charge proved futile, the police resorted to firing.

“There were no reports of any casualties due to the firing,” police said.

Unconfirmed reports, however, said two villagers were injured.

“All the policemen are out of danger,” Yadav said.

In a separate incident, the body of a CPI-M worker was found in the Belpahari area of West Midnapore district Monday morning.

Atul Singh Sardar, member of the anti-Maoist mass resistance group, was abducted by the Maoists from his residence Sunday night, police said.

Suspected Maoist ultras also blew up a mobile telephone tower in Ishara village under Bhimgarh police station of Birbhum district. They also set fire to a truck at Bechkundi under Jhargram police station of West Midnapore district Monday.

The Maoists are mainly active in three western districts of West Bengal - Birbhum, West Midnapore and Purulia.