Midnapore (WB), Dec 11 : Activists of a pro-Maoist group on Thursday hung shoes around the neck of two school teachers and a non-teaching staffer in Midnapore district, charging them with malpractice in recruiting a primary teacher.

Himangsu Mahato, Bhaktipada Sen and Anima Rau were ''shoe garlanded'' in full public glare by the activists of ''People''s Committee Against Police Atrocities'' (PCPA), for what they described as corruption in the recruitment at a primary school in Palasi village. The trio were also paraded around the village.

The PCPA activists alleged that the trio helped in the recruitment of an undeserving candidate, Rakhahari Babu in the teaching staff.

"While recruiting primary school teachers they helped in recruitment of Rakhahari Babu, a candidate who ranked third in the selection procedure," said PCPA activist.

Maoists have stepped up violence across eastern and central India. They have attacked schools and police stations, and used landmines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to disrupt infrastructure development projects.

They have also hijacked passenger trains including the prestigious super fast Rajdhani Express, beheaded policemen and suspected informers and attacked employees of mining companies.

The main objective of the Maoists is to prevent the development of infrastructure in remote areas, which so far has remained their exclusive domain.

Thousands have been killed by Maoists in the recent past. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has described the Maoist threat one of the gravest homegrown threats to India''s internal security.

The rebels claim they are fighting for the rights of poor farmers and landless labourers. (ANI)