Three CPI(M) workers were killed and nine others missing following a clash between the party activists and agitating tribals near strife-torn Lalgarh in West Midnapore district on Sunday.
"Three bodies have been identified and search is on to trace the missing persons. The two injured party workers have been hospitalised. An innocent woman also suffered a bullet injury in her leg," District Magistrate N S Nigam said.
The clash is a sequel to the violence allegedly by tribals after the landmine blast near Shalboni on November 2 last and subsequent police "atrocities".
The tribals under the banner of 'Police Santras Virodhi Janaganer committee' (People's Committee Against Police Atrocities") were demanding stern action against police, the DM said.
However, now they were driving out CPI(M) workers out of the area. Local people were fleeing the area in fear of more violence, Nigam said.