'Naxals kicked Mahato's dead body'

Jamshedpur: Holi festivities in Jharkhand were marred by the ghastly killing of Jamshedpur MP Sunil Mahato, by suspected Naxalites on Sunday evening. The well-planned attack, which claimed four lives, has sent shockwaves across Jharkhand.

While Chief Minister Madhu Koda has announced a CBI enquiry into the killing, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha party called for a bandh in the state. “The Naxalites have done this I have ordered a CBI probe,” said Koda.

Suspected Naxalites shot Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MP Sunil Mahato at Ghatsila near Jamshedpur Sunday evening. Mahato was watching a football match where he was called as a chief guest, when suspected Naxalites fired at him from a close range.

“We have called for a bandh tomorrow. And we will continue to agitate against the killings,” said JMM Leader Dulal Bhuiyan.

Two of Mahato's bodyguards and a local JMM worker, Prabhakar Mahato were also killed in the shootout. The MP was rushed to the TATA hospital in Jamshedpur, where doctors declared him dead.“ For 15 minutes they fired indiscriminately. They also kicked the bodies after shooting,” an eyewitness told CNN-IBN.

Chief Minister, Madhu Koda held emergency meetings with the senior officials to take stock of the situation and fight the Naxal terror. The state's borders have been sealed. Madhu Koda has also announced a CBI enquiry into the Sunday killings.

The ghastly killings are bound to have widespread repercussions on the political landscape of Jharkhand. Sunil Mahato was an important JMM leader said to be in race for the top job.

The attack has raised many questions, not just about the effectiveness of the state in fighting Naxal threat, but also about power struggles within the JMM after Shibu Soren's conviction in the Shashi Nath Jha murder case.

Clearly, by killing a well-guarded member of Parliament in his own constituency Naxals have made their presence felt, yet again in Jharkhand.

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