Maoist open fire at public meet in Bengal; several injured

A member of an anti-Maoist committee was injured in firing by suspected extremists at Masandihi near Jhargram in Paschim Midnapore district today, police sources said.

The Jana Jagaran Mancha members were holding a meeting at Masandihi area when Maoists fired at them from nearby forests, the sources said.

Rupchand Soren, a member of the Jana Jagaran Mancha was injured in the Maoist firing and has been rushed to Jhargram Hospital, sources added.

Jana Jagaran Mancha leader Nisith Mahato said they were holding a meeting at Masandihi area to chalk out the plans for the proposed padayatra of Trinamool Congress MP Subhendu Adhikary in Jhargram on November 12 when suddenly Maoists fired at them from the nearby forest.

The Jana Jagaran Mancha, an anti-Maoist organisation, was formed in August this year and has the backing of the ruling Trinamool Congress.

Manik Mandi, the CPI(M) branch secretary of Kukra Khupi area in Paschim Midnapore district, was shot dead by Maoists on the bank of Dulung river river yesterday.

The CPI(M) had called for a 12-hour bandh today in the areas under Jamboni police station of Paschim Midnapore to protest the killing.