Villager killed in crossfire during encounter

"A villager identified as Dasrath Malhar was hit by a bullet during an encounter with the Maoists at Bhalmara 15-mile forest in Bokaro district," Superintendent of Police Kuldip Diwedi told reporters here.

The body has been recovered and sent for post mortem, he said.

The encounter took place during an anti-Maoist operation in the wake of the banned CPI(Maoist) observing "martyrdom week" to coincide with the death anniversary of Maoist leader Kishenji.

In protest against the villager