Maoists shell on CRPF camp

West Midnapore, Aug 7 (UNI) A number of Maoist activists started shelling on CRPF Police camp at Neguria near Chakadoba Forest under Belpahari Police Station from this evening, District Magistrate (DM), West Midnapur District B P Barat said.

''The CRPF replied immediately and huge firing is going on at this moment,'' the D M added.

According to a preliminary estimate, three CRPF personnel had been seriously injured. The number of the injured on the Maoist side could not be ascertained due to darkness.

''A huge contingent of police have been rushed to the area.

Details are still awaited,'' R Rajshekharan, Superintendent of Police of the district said.

The TRACKO Troup of the CRPF first witnessed burning torches in large numbers approaching their camps. This gave them some visibility in the darkness about 100 advancing Maoists, the S P said.

They immediately took position for the encounter, the first bullet, however, was fired from the Maoist side following which police fired at least 20 rounds, the S P said.

The villagers heard sounds of more than 100 rounds on both sides.

The Maoists' series of attacks were apprehended earlier following the celebration of their protest week, registering their voice against killing of at least 1,200 Maoists so far in the five states of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Orissa, and Madhya Pradesh, they said.

UNI