Jamshedpur, Oct 9 (UNI) Armed Maoists today shot dead a policeman and injured the treasurer of Nagarik Surksha Samity (NSS) in between Gura Nala and Kashiabera village near the Jharkhand-Orissa border under Gudabandha police station of East Singhbhum district.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Madhusudan Bari said four naxalites, who came in cycles, opened fire at NSS member Shailendra Baskey, riding motorbike with his wife. His bodyguard Jogeshwar Murmu who was escorting the former in another bike received six bullets and died on the spot. Baskey, who also sustained bullet injuries, was rushed to Tata Main Hospital here, Mr Bari said.

He said the district police provided bodyguards to two members of the NSS, a village committee formed at the behest of the police to wage battle against the Maoists rebels.

Baskey used to spend nights at the nearby police picket as he received threat to his life from the ultras.

The incident took place this morning when Baskey was returing to his native village Kashiabera.

The naxalites snatched the SLR gun from the bodyguard and fled towards Tangra hill, Mr Bari said.

The body of Murmu was sent for a post-mortem at MGM Hospital here, he said.

Superintendent of Police Navin Kumar Singh ruhsed to the spot and a massive combing operation was launched in the area.

Kolhan Deputy Inspector General Ram Lakhan Prasad visited Baskey in the hospital and inquired about his condition.

He also paid homage to the slain policeman.

UNI