The Hindu : National : Seven killed as naxalites go on the rampage in Bihar

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Friday, Jun 24, 2005

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National

Seven killed as naxalites go on the rampage in Bihar

Special Correspondent

Police station set on fire, rifles looted

PATNA: At least seven persons, including three police personnel and four naxalites, were killed in an encounter on Thursday in the Madhuban block of East Champaran district along the border with Nepal. CPI (Maoist) rebels went on the rampage setting fire to a police station, looting rifles, banks and the house and petrol pump of a Member of Parliament.

According to DGP Ashish Ranjan Sinha, at least 200 armed naxalites attacked the Madhuban police station and branches of the State Bank of India and the Central Bank of India.

They looted money from the banks and gunned down a guard at the SBI branck.

Their next target was the block office, where they shot dead two home guards and snatched four rifles. They then attacked the home and petrol pump of the RJD MP from Sheohar, Sitaram Singh.

Police said they had shot dead at least four naxalites near Banjaria village, while they were moving into Sheohar district. The police also claimed to have arrested local CPI (Maoist) commander Ram Pravesh Baitha.

Additional forces, including those from the CRPF, have been rushed to flush out the naxalites. The State Government has sounded a red alert in the Champaran and Sheohar districts.

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