Patna: Hundreds of residents of at least six villages in Bihar's Rohtas district fled for their safety as Maoists threatened to eliminate them for not supporting them, police said on Tuesday.
Three days after five people were killed by Maoists at Banda village, residents of banda and neighbouring villages Pandav, Auraia, Udarga, Bhurunda and Shivsagar fled their homes to safer places.
While the police said all villagers have fled, Rohtas acting district magistrate Bhawani Prasad said residents of three villages fled and took shelter at safer places and some residents of three other villages have left their homes.
"Frightened villagers left their homes and cattle fearing threat of Maoists to their lives," a police official said.
Five people belonging to Khairwar tribe were killed by a group of armed Maoists at Banda village of Rohtas district late on Saturday evening.
Police suspect that the Maoists massacred tribals in apparent retaliation for the killing of their top leader and self-styled commander Brinder Rana Yadav early this month.
IANS
First Published: Tuesday, August 02, 2011, 13:41