Suspected Maoists snatch rifles from policemen

Midnapore, Nov 27 (UNI) Tension gripped Binpur area after suspected Maoists snatched two .303 Rifles from policemen at gun point in a Binpur-bound bus from Jhargram in this district today, three days ahead of West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacherjee's visit.

Police said two policemen were coming to Binpur Police station from Jhargram to join duty. Two miscreants, who were in the bus, directed the driver to stop at the Palaidanga while three other miscreants snatched the loaded rifles at gunpoint.

The miscreants then escaped into the neighboring Golashuli forest with the rifles.

District Magistrate Bhabani Prasad Barat here said, ''Most people, including the Jhargram SDPO, are engaged in a rally at Belpahari in protest against police torture.

''The administration is concerned about this incident. Only a month back, one AK-47 was snatched from almost the same place and CPI-M local committee secetary Anil Mahata was killed after being dragged down from a bus and his AK-47 was snatched from his body guard,'' he added.

The Chief Minister would visit Sankrail in Jhargram subdivision and Keshpur on December one.

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