Kolkata, Nov 8 (IANS) Claiming responsibility for the killing of four Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) troopers in West Midnapore district, Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) politburo member Koteshwar Rao alias Kishenji Sunday night said the troopers were punished for torturing “innocent children”.
“Policemen from the Jamboni camp had tortured innocent children for taking out rallies Saturday demanding the security forces vacate school buildings which they are occupying,” Kishenji said.

Hundreds of school students, teachers and villagers took out rallies and observed a black day Saturday as West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee reached West Midnapore district on a two-day visit.

Four EFR troopers were killed in an ambush by Maoist rebels in Gidhni under Jamboni police station Sunday, hours after Bhattacharjee wrapped up his two-day visit to the district by throwing a challenge to the Left-wing ultras.

“We’ll defeat Maoist ultras and will chase them out of our state,” the chief minister thundered at a public meeting in the district.

Responding to Bhattacharjee’s remarks, Kishenji said: “Let him say whatever he likes. We will win the war”.