Midnapore (WB), Dec 10 (ANI): Suspected Maoists shot dead three CPI(M) workers at Sebaytan village in Midnapore West district in the wee hours today.

According to sources, the three were called out from their homes in the village under Jhargram police station at about 1.30 am and gunned down.

Maoists have stepped up violence across eastern and central India. They have attacked schools and police stations, and used landmines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to disrupt infrastructure development projects.

They have also hijacked passenger trains including the prestigious super fast Rajdhani Express, beheaded policemen and suspected informers and attacked employees of mining companies.

The main objective of the Maoists is to prevent the development of infrastructure in remote areas, which so far has remained their exclusive domain.

Thousands have been killed by Maoists in the recent past. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has described the Maoist threat one of the gravest homegrown threats to India’s internal security.

The rebels claim they are fighting for the rights of poor farmers and landless labourers. (ANI)