From correspondents in Jharkhand, India, 03:30 PM IST

Maoist guerrillas have ordered villagers supporting Shanti Sena, a private army opposed to the rebels, to surrender their arms or face death.

The Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) issued the directive to four villages of Gumla district, around 170 km from Ranchi.

The Maoists killed eight people, including Shanti Sena chief Bhado Singh, April 8. The Sena was formed five years ago to fight the Maoists.

Maoists are active in 18 of the 24 districts of Jharkhand. In the last seven years, more than 1,000 people have been killed in violence linked to Maoists.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)