Maoists gun down 18 in Jharkhand

Maoists struck again in naxalite-infested Jharkhand on Saturday when in a dastardly act they gunned down 18 people, including the son of former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi, and injured eight others at a cultural programme at Chilkhadiah village in Giridih district in the small hours.

"Armed naxalites, disguised as CRPF personnel, opened fire when the programme was on between 0030 hours and 0100 hours and killed 18 people, including Anup Marandi, the son of former chief minister Babulal Marandi," Deputy Inspector General of Police R K Mullick told PTI at Ranchi.

Marandi's brother Nunulal, who was also present at the function, escaped unhurt. The injured were rushed to Giridih hospital.

A group of Maoists, numbering around 30, attacked the victims, who were attending a cultural programme after a football match, much the same way they killed Jamshedpur MP Sunil Mahato and three others on March four in Bagudia village in East Singhbhum district.

The CRPF with 475 personnel led by its DIG (Ranchi) Alok Raj cordoned off the area and were trying to locate the naxals, a CRPF spokesperson told PTI in New Delhi.

A bomb disposal squad and dog squad are also accompanying the personnel, he said.