Maoists blow up CPI (Marxist) office in West Bengal

LODHASULI - A blast triggered by suspected Maoists shattered the premises of Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) at Lodhasuli near Jhargram in West Bengal’s Paschimi Medinipur district on Sunday.

Local residents said that a group of 30 Maoist cadres targeted and destroyed the party office in the early hours on Sunday.

The residents heard a loud noise from the party office around 4 a.m. (local time) today.

“We heard a noise and villagers woke up at 4 a.m. (local time). Then we came and saw that devastated area,” said Sonu Mandi, a local youngster of Lodhasuli.

Reportedly, landmines were used to blast and destroy the party office.owever, no causalities were reported.

A CPI-M member, who did not wish to be named, said that the party had tried to protest against activities of the Maoists.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called the Maoists India’s gravest internal security threat.

Over 500 people have died this year alone, in an insurgency that has been simmering for four decades. (ANI)