With the Assembly polls nearing in West Bengal, there has been a spurt in violence in the Maoist-affected Jangal Mahal region as another teacher was shot dead by suspected Maoists in Paschim Medinipur district on Saturday morning.
Prabodh Mahato, a para-teacher, was shot from close range in his Ghritakham village when he was returning home after a bath in a nearby canal. His family members rushed outside on hearing the gunshot only to find his body lying on the road, Pravin Tripathi, Superintendent of Police of Jhargram told The Hindu over telephone.
Mr. Tripathi said Maoists and the Maoist-backed Police Santrash Birodhi Janasadharaner Committee (PSBJC) were suspected to be behind the attack and investigations were on.
Elections in the 14 Assembly constituencies within the Maoist-affected areas in the State's south-western districts of Paschim Medinipur, Bankura and Purulia will be held on May 10, the last day of the six-phase election.
Teachers have often been attacked by Maoists in the Jangal Mahal region. It is believed that they are targeted for extortion of funds by the Maoists.
Meanwhile, Railway Protection Force personnel found a poster with Maoist slogans near an ATM at the Mahanayak Uttam Kumar station in Tollygunge in South Kolkata at 10.15 a.m. The poster protested the death of Maoist leader Sashadhar Mahato, said Pratush Ghosh, official spokesperson for the Metro Railways.
