Four more gunned down in Jangalmahal

BELPAHARI: Four more men were gunned down in Jangalmahal over the past 24 hours, taking the death toll since the security forces moved into the region in June to 52. One of them, Asit Sarkar (53), was a former leader of the disbandedMaoist outfit People's War. The other three Manik Mandi (67), nephew BhaganMandi (34) and Buddheshwar Mandi were members of Gana Pratirodh Committee (GPC),the anti-Maoist group. While the first three were killed on Saturday night, thefourth was shot on Sunday night. Sarkar's family accused CPM for hismurder at Sandhipur in Garbeta. Asit's brother Somenath alleged, "Two prominentCPM leaders had threatened my brother and ordered him to stay politicallyneutral. But Asit was involved in sourcing relief for the homeless of Krishnapurin Chandrakona. After he was shot dead, the criminals moved through the villageopenly, brandishing firearms."Asit's son-in-law Goutam Pal claimed,"CPM-backed goons thought he was a Maoist informer. We were even threatened whenwere waiting to take the body back from Midnapore Medical College Hospital.Finally, police escorted us away from the spot." CPM leaders, however, havedenied all charges. While Manik and nephew Bhagan were gunned downat Krishnapur, Buddheswar was killed in Kalapahar. Both areas fall withinBelpahari. CPI (Maoist) leader Bikash owned up to all three murders. "They werepolice informers and this was their optimum punishment," he said.Manik was the ex-chairman of Binpur-II (Belpahari) panchayat samitiand a Jharkhand Party (Naren) leader earlier.Manik's niece SombariMandi said, "We don't know why he was targeted. Maoists have destroyed ourfamily. About 12 armed men dragged out uncle and my elder brother and gunneddown them on the bank of Tarafeni barrage. We all heard the sound of firing, butno one dared to go out."West Midnapore SP Manoj Verma said, "We areinquiring into Sarkar's past history and his recent activities. We are alsoprobing all the murders."