Maoists kill five Forward Bloc members in Bengal

"A group of 30-40 armed ultra left rebels attacked the houses of our party leaders and workers in Bagbandi village of Jhalda block late Thursday and dragged them out,"  Forward Bloc Purulia MP Narahari Mahato told IANS over phone.

"They gunned down five of them in a nearby forested area early today (Friday)," Mahato added.

"Among the five victims, Chapala Gorai was the head of Dorda rural body and Tapan Singh Sardar was a leader of Jhalda area. The others were Kinkar Singh, Rajesh Singh and Gopeswar Mahato," the MP said.

He alleged that more than 10 party supporters and leaders have been killed in the district by the Maoists since October. Three party activists, including a leader, were shot dead by the Maoists in Bagmundi area Oct 4.

Purulia Superintendent of Police Sunil Chowdhury confirmed that five Forward Bloc leaders were killed by the Maoists. He did not give any details regarding the incident.

Purulia district is one of the three western districts of the state where Maoists are active - the other two being West Midnapore and Bankura.