Maoists kill Congress leader in Jharkhand

Ranchi (Jharkhand), Mar 31 (ANI): The Maoists shot dead Congress leader Gobardhan Mahali in Jharkhand's East Singhbhum district to protest against Operation Green Hunt in the state.

Mahali, who was the Congress president of Dalbhumgarh block in East Singhbhum district was killed late on Tuesday night, said police sources.

"Around 25 rebels of Communist Party of India- Maoists (CPI-M) raided Mahali's house in Maacchbhandhar village and took him towards the jungle area at gunpoint. The Maoists then pumped in three bullets in his head," said a police official.

The Maoists had earlier warned that it would kill Congress leaders if the operation is not stopped against them.

Earlier on March 24, a group of over 100 Maoists raided a village and gunned down two local leaders of Communist Party of India (Marxist) at Silda in West Medinipur district of West Bengal.

A majority of Maoist rebels have ignored repeated calls from the government to renounce violence and negotiate.

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

The Maoist rebels had on February 22 offered a conditional 72-day ceasefire through the media, and said they are willing to talk to the government if it aborts Operation Green Hunt. Many believe the truce offer is a ruse to regroup.

The Maoists contend they are fighting for the rights of the poor, marginal farmers and the landless labourers. (ANI)