Ten Maoists and KLO extremists on hunger strike in jail

Malda, Jun 3 (UNI) Ten Maoists and KLO extremists, arrested six months ago, have gone on hunger strike since May 31 at Malda jail to protest the alleged atrocities of the police.

Maoist leader Animesh Chakraborty and KLO leader Malkhand Singh have demanded that they should be given food with vital protien, jail workers should guard them without any arms and their relatives should be allowed to visit them at any time.

Meanwhile, when the prison workers tried to feed them forcibly yesterday, the prisoners allegedly beat up the workers.

Consequently, police had to resort to lathicharge and four policemen and six extremist members were injured in the scuffle.

Later, they were admitted to Malda Police Hospital.

Jail Superintendent Chittaranjan Garai alleged that the extremists manhandled him and tried to escape from the jail.

''I have asked for the investigation report of the incident and appropriate action will be taken against the guilty,'' District Magistrate Chittaranjan Das said.

Meanwhile, District SDO Arunima Dey visited the jail, official sources added.

UNI