Maoists kill CPI (M) leader in Midnapore

Midnapore (West Bengal), March 24 (ANI): The callousness of the Maoists was witnessed once again, as they abducted and killed a leader of Communist Party of India (Marxist) in West Bengal's Midnapore district on Wednesday.

The deceased has been identified as Basir Khan whose body was recovered from Joynagar, two kilometers from his residence.

Witnesses, who saw Khan's body, said he had bullet wounds in his head and chest.

"Local administration will take necessary steps. Both central and state government take steps and every time we communicate with local people. But we can't provide private security to everyone," said Susil Das, member of Communist Party of India (Marxist), Midnapur district.

Das blamed the attack jointly on the State's main opposition Trinamool Congress party and Maoists, and said that these activities were planned as 2011 elections were approaching.

The Maoists say that they are fighting for the rights of the poor and marginal farmers and landless labourers.

The Maoist rebels have ignored repeated calls from the government to renounce violence and negotiate.

Instead, they have stepped up attacks in recent months, prompting the government to go after them in a concerted strike.

Thousands have been killed in the Maoist insurgency, which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has described as the gravest domestic threat to India's internal security. (ANI)