Kolkata, Nov 9 (IANS) Suspected Maoists opened fire at a Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader in West Midnapore district Monday, injuring him seriously, police said.
A West Bengal police official said Jagananth Mahato, a prominent CPI-M leader of Salboni, was returning after bathing in the pond when a group of ultras fired at him.

Mahato, a former panchayat chief, has been rushed to the Midnapore district hospital. His condition was stated to be serious.

Eight persons have been killed and two others injured in escalating violence by Maoists in West Midnapore since Friday night, the eve of Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s two-day visit to the district. Bhattacharjee wrapped up his tour Sunday.