M A I N   N E W S

Kishenji, 3 other Maoist activists killed
Subhrangshu Gupta
Tribune News Service

According to reports reaching the state government headquarters at Writers’ Building, Kishenji’s body, carrying five bullet wounds, was found near a hideout in the West Bengal-Jharkhand border area. Five AK-47 rifles and a huge stock of other arms and ammunition were recovered from the hideout. Suchitra Mahato, the woman Maoist leader accompanying Kishenji for the last 48 hours, has also been shot dead.

Police is still conducting search operations, encircling the entire jungle to catch hold of other Maoist leaders reported to be have been accompanying Kishenji. During the last 48 hours, the police team, following an anonymous tip-off, raided Nalbani Jungle on the outskirts of Salbani town, where the Maoists had gathered to fuel insurgency in Jhargram town. After being chased by the Joint Action Force, the Maoists had secretly shifted to Burishol forest.

Police said when it had opened fire in order to ascertain the presence of the Maoist gang inside the forest, there was considerable return firing. Soon, a heavy gunbattle between the Joint Action Force and the Maoists ensued.

After an eight-hour-long battle, four bodies, suspected to be those of Kishenji and three other Maoists, Suchitra Mahato, Bikash and Manasa Hembram, were recovered.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, now in Delhi for the trade fair, has been informed about the operation.