Suspected Maoists shot dead two local Communist Party of India - Marxist leaders at Supurdih village in Balarampur area, about 40 from Purulia, on Thursday night.

Bibhuti Singh Sardar and Baikuntha Mahato were returning from a fair at approximately 11 pm last night when some motorcycle-borne persons shot at them from a close rang, said the police.

Both of them died on the spot, the police said. While the police are yet to identify the assailants, the family members of the victims said the killers raised slogans in support of the Maoists after killing the two.

The CPI-M- has called for a 12-hour bandh in Balarampur on Friday in protest against the incident. Security has been tightened in this district headquarter town in view of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's [Images] scheduled visit for campaigning.