Nine people mowed down by CPI (Maoist)

Gumla, Apr 8 (UNI) In a ghastly naxalite strike, the CPI(Maoist) ultras mowed down nine people, mostly from Santi Sena, near Semra forest, about 12 kms from here, today.

The victims, including three women and a child, were coming from Gurma village to Jharkhand's Gumla district in a vehicle and when they reached the forest area, the Maoist ultras opened indiscriminate fire on them.

The Sena members, mainly dedicated to mobilising mass opinion against the naxalites, also came out and retaliated but to no avail.

After killing, the Maoist ultras put all the bodies inside the vehicle and set it ablaze.

However, an injured woman managed to escape along with her child.

DSP Alban Tikka here confirmed the toll and said some of the bodies were charred beyond recognition.

The Maoist then decamped taking two rifles, two DBL guns and a pistol from the site.

UNI PRS KK SS1851