BHUBANESHWAR, India (AP) - Suspected Maoist rebels fatally shot a Hindu hard-liner early Thursday in an eastern Indian state where Hindu-Christian violence left dozens dead last year, police said.

Prabhat Panigrahi, an activist with the Hindu nationalist organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, was attacked by nearly two dozen assailants at a friend’s home where he was sleeping, police superintendent S. Praveen Kumar told The Associated Press.

No one claimed responsibility for the killing in Radiguma, a village 220 miles (350 kilometers) west of Bhubaneshwar, the capital of Orissa state.

"It is suspected that the Maoists active in the district are behind this crime. But we are still inquiring into the attack," Kumar said.

Panigrahi was arrested last year on a charge of rioting during battles between Hindus and Christians that were sparked by the slaying of a hard-line Hindu leader which Maoist rebels said they carried out. Dozens were killed.

Panigrahi was released on bail five days ago.

Militant Hindus say their country’s main religion is being undermined by Christian missionaries they accuse of using bribery, pressure and even murder to attract followers.