Inspector General of Police (law and order) Raj Kanojia said five to six unidentified men fired on Palaram Tudu, CPI(M) zonal committee member at Binpur and fled away. Tudu died on the spot.
The incident caused high tension in the area, which has been the scene of several Maoist attacks over the past few years.
Police officials have rushed to the spot and started an investigation to nab the culprits.