Maoist rebels kill 4 in India

A leader of the state's ruling Bhartiya Janata Party was killed early Wednesday while two tribal people were shot dead late Tuesday. A peace activist was gunned down elsewhere in the state, police said.

State home minister Ram Vichar Netam said the political leader was targeted because he had taken part in a government-sponsored peace campaign, which security experts say has put civilians at greater threat of Maoist violence.

The killings came after the rebels shot dead seven villagers in Dantewada district of central Chhattisgarh state Tuesday. Officials said they were apparently killed when they refused a rebel demand to join them in attacking a government relief camp.