Mahato killing: JMM calls 24-hour bandh

Monday, March 5, 2007

(JamshedpurA 24-hour bandh has been called by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha on Monday in protest against the killing of Lok Sabha MP from Jamshedpur Sunil Mahato. JMM General Secretary Mahato was shot dead by suspected naxals on Sunday. He was in a village a hundred kilometers from Jamshedpur, invited as a chief guest for a football match when he was shot at point blank range. Inadequate security?Reports say that the attack was carried out by 15 extremists. Three of his bodyguards were killed on the spot along with a local Panchayat leader. "Everybody had come for the function. Suddenly there was firing and everyone started running, I also ran for my life and did not see any of the attackers," said Manoj Karamkar, eyewitness. On Sunday, after news of Mahato's death spread, JMM supporters took to the streets, setting vehicles on fire and raising slogans. JMM leaders allege that despite receiving threats, Mahato had not been provided adequate security."The attackers were raising slogans. They were shouting Maoists Zindabad and Sunil Mahto Murdabad. Sunil Mahato was not provided any security. It was the fault of the district administration," said Nehal, Sunil Mahato's driver.But the police say that it was not a matter of lax security. They added that they were not informed that the MP was expected to attend the function where he was killed. A post mortem has been conducted and the slain MP's body has been shifted from the MGM hospital to the Tata main hospital in Jamshedpur.Condemning the killingThe Prime Minister and the President have condemned the killing. "This incident will be investigated by the CBI. I have put Jharkhand on high alert so that such an incident does not take place again," said Madhu Koda, CM, Jharkhand.Railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav has also condemned the killing."I condemn this incident. The Jharkhand government should take action against the anti-social elements who have murdered an elected representative and that too on the occasion of a festival," said Lalu Prasad Yadav, President, RJD.A high alert has been declared in Jharkhand and the state's borders with Bihar, West Bengal and Chhattisgrah have been sealed. Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal is also rushing to Jharkhand to take stock of situation.):