CPI(M) Local Committee secretary shot dead

Silda, West Bengal, Sep 19 (UNI) Unidentified miscreants today gunned down CPI(M) Local Committee secretary Anil Mahato and his security guard at Joypur village under Belpahari Police Station.

West Midnapur SP Rajshekharan said Mr Mahato was returning from a party meeting here by a private bus.

As the bus reached Joypur stoppage, a group of passengers forcibly dragged the deceased and his security out and pumped a volley of bullets, killing both on the spot.

Mr Rajshekharan, however, suspected the involvement of the Jharkhand Party supporters in the killings.

Nobody had been arrested so far.

Mr Mahato was in the hit list of the Maoists for a long time.

Mr Dipak Sarkar, district party secretary, said a 24-hour bandh has been called in entire Binpur Assembly area tomorrow.

Ms Chunibala Hansda, all India president of the Jharkhand Party (Naren Group) and also an MLA from Binpur denied any involvement of her party in the incident.

UNI XC SJC RA VC2230