CPI-M activist shot dead by Maoists, life affected in bandh

West Midnapore, Dec 26 (UNI) A CPI-M activist was today killed and landmines were recovered from different places during the Maoist sponsored 24-hour bandh in Bankura, Purulia and parts of West Midnapore which affected life.

Dipak Mahato(30), who recently left the Maoists to join the CPI(M), was killed near Bhimpur. He was shot at from a close range in Birghosa forest under Salboni Police Station.

Police recovered two landmines from different places in the district here and seized incriminating documents that suggested a Maoist hand in it.

District Magistrate Bhabani Prasad Barat said the district administration was keeping a close watch on the situation.

Police sources said a landmine has been recovered by the Lalgarh police from Jhitka forest early today.

Police was informed after locals noticed wires running through the forest. Police forces rushed to the area with a bomb disposal squad and cordoned off the area.

The bomb, that was placed in a tiffin carrier, was later defused.

Police is conducting special search in the Jhitka forest.

Another landmine was recovered from below a culvert from Neguria near Banspahari area of the district after local people informed the police. Police also recovered some posters and handbills from the spot which suggested a Maoist hand in the incident.

The mine was planted to protest the killing of two Maoist cadres by the paramilitary force in Salboni yesterday.

A couple of months ago, mines planted by the Maoist in this region claimed the lives of two police officials.

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