Patna, Oct 2 (IANS) At least 50 Maoist guerrillas attacked a Bihar village and gunned down 16 people, including five children, in what appeared to be a dispute over land, police said Friday.

The incident took place late Thursday in Amausi village in Khagaria district, about 200 km north of Patna.

Villagers told police that the guerrillas had tied the hands of the victims before shooting them dead.

"Over 50 armed Maoist rebels attacked Amausi village and shot dead 16 villagers, including five children," Deputy Superintendent of Police Ajay Pandey said, adding that it appeared to be over a land dispute but that the police were still investigating.

"All senior district officials are camping in the village and security forces have been deployed. The Special Task Force along with district police have launched combing operations against Maoists in Khagaria," Pandey added.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar condemned the incident and asked top officials of the state administration to probe into it.

"It is a shocking incident and should be condemned by one and all," Nitish Kumar said, while announcing compensation of Rs.150,000 to the families of each victim.

He said Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and Director General of Police Anand Shankar would visit the village later Friday.

The incident prompted opposition Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan to demand Nitish Kumar's resignation.