Congress leader shot dead by Maoists in Jharkhand

The victim, Hemant Bage, who is the brother-in-law of the Sub-divisional officer of Simdega, was on way to his relative's house when a group of ultras intercepted his vehicle and shot him dead, Sub-divisional Police Officer (Simdega), Varun Kumar said on Monday.

Kumar said the ultras then set the vehicle on fire along with the body of Bage. Police recovered the half burnt vehicle as well as Bage’s body.The ultras left behind posters owning responsibility for the crime.

Police launched a massive search operation in the area to track down the ultras.
Meanwhile, ex-Congress MLA Neol Tirkey was on Sunday threatened by the Maoists.
Police on Monday recovered posters from Tamra village cautioning Tirkey not to speak against the Maoists or support Operation Green hunt.

Earlier, the CPI (Maoists) had ordered Congress party leaders and workers in Jharkhand, including those of Palamu district Congress committee, to snap ties with the party or face consequences. The Maoists had gunned down Dalbhumgarh Block President of Congress, Gobardhan Mahali in Dalbhumgarh under naxal-hit Ghatsila sub-division of East Singhbhum district on March 30 last.