Kolkata, Aug 23 - Maoists have shot dead two people in West Bengal's West Midnapore allegedly because they were working against the rebels, police said Sunday.

The killings took place in the Belpahari forest region late Saturday night, an official said.

'Two people, Karan Murmu and Lal Murmu, were killed by suspected Maoists at Shankhabhanga area of Belpahari forest region late last (Saturday) night,' West Midnapore Police Superintendent M.K Verma told IANS.

He said both the victims were supporters of a local political outfit, Jharkhand Party (Aditya), and were also involved in the anti-Maoist committee.

Verma said the police were carrying out a search operation in the forest area Sunday morning when the two bodies were found.