Local CPM leader gunned down by Maoists

Midnapore, May 28 (UNI) A local CPM leader of Pingboni under Sabong police station was allegedly gunned down by Maoists in Jamda village under Binpur police station area early today, police said.

Manik Mahato(60), the local CPM leader, who was visiting his son-in-law of Upen Mahato branch secretary of Binpur-1 block CPM committee was shot when about 15-20 masked Maoists arrived at his residence at the dead of night and knocked at his door.

When no one answered, they fired indiscriminately. Manik Mahato was killed in the process, police said here.

Police discovered a large number of leaflets outside the house.

The Maoists alleged that he had misappropriated government funds meant for development of Binpur I block that was dominated by CPM Panchayet Samity.

No arrest had been made so far. Police have been combing the Lalgarh Forest area since last night.

Incidentally, the Maoists had also made an attempt on Sk Khaliluddin, a CPM Zonal committee leader in the neighboring area of Lalgarh on Saturday in his home. They were, however, chased away by the local people.

CPM district secretariat member Dahar Sen said that the Maoists were trying to create fear before next year's Panchayet Election.

UNI