From correspondents in Jharkhand, India, 03:33 PM IST

Rebels killed three villagers near Ranchi for allegedly collecting money in the name of the Maoist party, police said Monday.

According to police, the three people were abducted from Parasi village in Tamar block, around 70 km from Ranchi, Sunday night and their bodies were recovered Monday from the forest area of Tamar.

Taking responsibility for the killing, the banned Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) said in pamphlets left near the bodies: 'Anyone who will extort money in the name of our organization will meet the same fate.'

Maoist rebels are active in 18 of the 24 districts of the state. In last seven years more than 1,200 people including civilians and rebels have been killed.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)