Khagaria Superintendent of Police Mithu Prasad said Maoists had demanded Rs 50,000 from fish traders Sagar Sahni (32) and Chhathu Sahni (45), nephew and uncle by relation, and killed them last night after they failed to meet the demand.
The villagers complained that the murders in Bahadurpur Diara locality under Alauli police station were committed at the behest of CPI(Maoist) area commander Lakhan Singh alias Lambu, Prasad said.
Chhathu Sahni's son Ranjit Mukhiya lodged an FIR naming Lambu and five other persons as responsible for the killing of his father and cousin.
Lambu was out on bail in connection with the cases related to naxal violence, Prasad said.
