According to a senior officer of Salboni police station, a group of 10-12 villagers was rehearsing on the premises of the Satsanga club near the Sishu Siksha Kendra at Dhannoshola village around 10 pm when four persons riding two motorcycles came to the spot and opened fire at them.

Leaving three of the men injured, the two motorcycles sped away towards the jungle. The injured were identified as Shiv Prasad Mahato, Ratan Mahato and Jagannath Mahato. All three were rushed to Midnapore hospital.

While Shiv Prasad and Jagannath were referred to SSKM hospital in Kolkata, Jagannath, who received bullet injury on his chest, was too critical to be shifted. He died early Saturday morning at the Midnapore hospital.

An investigator said before coming to the spot, the Maoists had asked one of the villagers to identify Shiv Prasad for them. Shiv Prasad is a member of the CPM gram committee.

West Midnapore SP Manoj Verma said the police have started a combing operation in the area. However, no one has been arrested.

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