Maoists killed eight members of a breakaway rebel faction in eastern India over what experts said was a conflict involving funding for the guerrillas.
Scores of rebels were also injured after a four-hour gun battle in Jharkhand state last night, police said.
Jharkhand is one of the worst-hit among 13 of India's 29 states where the Maoists, who say they are fighting for the rights of poor farmers and landless labourers, have a presence.
Since starting their rebellion in the eastern district of Naxalbari 40 years ago, the Maoists are estimated to built up as many as 20,000 fighters nationwide.
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About 1,000 rebels broke away from the main group last year.