Maoists killed 12 tribals and injured eight in an attack on Kasari village in this district on Wednesday night. They set fire to houses before opening fire.
Only three days ago, Maoists killed 24 jawans of the Eastern Frontier Rifles in West Midnapore district of West Bengal.
Over 100 Maoists were involved in the attack, Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Bhagalpur range) Amit Kumar said.
Four of a family were charred to death in a hut, while others died of gunshot injuries. The deceased belonged to the Kora tribe.
Going by the leaflets left by the assailants, it seemed to be a retaliatory attack for the recent killing of eight activists of the CPI(Maoist), alleged by the villagers.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ordered Amir Subhani, Principal Secretary, Home Department, and Director-General of Police Anand Shankar to visit the spot and submit a report soon.
Mr. Kumar said the State government would give Rs. 1 lakh each to the family of the deceased and Rs. 20,000 or Rs. 50,000 to the injured, depending on the nature of their wounds. The injured were admitted to hospitals at Sikandra and Jamui, and five of them were said to be in a critical condition.
