TPC supremo among eight ultras killed in inter-gang rivalry

Latehar, Apr 9 (UNI) About eight ultras, including a top leader were killed following a fierce gun battle between banned CPI (maoist) and Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC) at Bhar jungle about 50 KM from this district in Jharkhand today.

Senior government officials confirmed that the Supremo of TPC-- Muraiji alias Sagarji was killed.

Villagers said while six other cadres of the TPC were killed, the remaining victims were from the CPI (maoist) faction.

The police attributed the encounter to the inter-gang rivalry triggered by their desperate bid for show of strength in the respecticve areas, dominated by the naxals.

During the about three-hour long encounter, both sides fired hundreds of rounds in which the TPC ultras retreated.

The incident took place around 1330 hrs and continued till 1600 hrs, deputy superintendent of police Sukhdev Singh said here adding addiional forces were rushed to the spot.

However, darkness and downpour hampered the search operation in the hilly terrain.

UNI