Maoists have apparently been shifting base from their strongholds in Lalgarh and Belpahari in the last two months, with killings and violence increasingly taking place in Jhargram subdivision, 40 km away in restive West Midnapore district.

Three CPI (M) members were shot dead by suspected Maoists in Lalgarh area of West Midnapore district, police said on Friday.

Faced with an impending security force operation, a top leader of the Maoists on Thursday said the ultras were ready for talks with the Centre provided some of their conditions were met, including withdrawal of paramilitary forces deployed in naxal-hit states.

Suspected armed Maoists on Tuesday abducted an officer-in-charge, injured an ASI and looted arms from a police station near Lalgarh in West Midnapore district, police said.

A local court in West Bengal on Saturday rejected the police plea for further remand for PCPA leader Chhatradhar Mahato, arrested on the charge of having Maoist links, and ordered jail custody till October 23.