Maoist victims' kin in panchayat poll fray

PURULIA: Monika Mahato and Kumkum Singh Sardar may be greenhorns in politics but they are ready to fight it out in the panchayat polls and fulfill unfinished dreams of their kin who were killed by Maoists. Monika and Kumkum are contesting the panchayat samity elections as Trinamool Congress candidates from Purulia.
On July 29, 2010, Monika's husband Trinamool leader Rajen Mahato, was murdered by Maoists at Ghatberia."He was killed because the rebels were scared of the developmental work he was carrying out. Now, I have no fear. I want to win the polls and complete the projects he had dreamt of," said Monika. In November that year, Trinamool area president Ajit Singh Sardar and his son Banku Singh Sardar was abducted and killed by Maoists in Khumtar village. The family fled in fear and returned only recently.
Ajit's daughter Kumkum said: is gearing up for the elections to the panchayat samity No. 2 seat.
"Purulia is a backward district and there are many unemployed people. I want to create more man-days under the 100 days' scheme and try to develop the area through various projects.
I want to fulfill my father's unfinished dream," says Kumkum.
State minister and local MLA Shantiram Mahato said the party workers have been keeping a constant vigil on these two families fearing further attacks by Maoists.
"We are sure that both of them will win the polls and help in developmental works in their respective areas," he added.
Purulia SP C Sudhakar said, "Though no special protection is provided to these two families, there is a Straco Force camp of the joint forces near Ghatberia - Kherua High School which keeps tabs on Maoist movement in the area."
Monika Mahato (52) and Kumkum Singh Sardar (40) may be both greenhorns when it comes to contesting in politics but both have one thing common among themselves, dream and agony. They are wife and daughter of trinamul congress leaders, who have been killed by the Maoists and are contesting the panchayet samity polls this year from the backward district of Purulia on trinamul congress ticket.
Trinamul congress leader Rajen Mahato was brutally killed by Maoists in Ghatberia area under Balarampur Police Station area on 29 July 2010. This year his wife, Monika Mahato has been contesting the polls for the panchayet samity one seat on trinamul congress ticket. " My husband was very much popular and they killed him fearing his developmental works here and now I have no fear and want to win the polls and complete the projects he had dreamed ,"said Monika Mahato.
Ajit Singh Sardar, trinamul congress area president and his son, Banku Singh Sardar was abducted and killed by the Maoists on 10 November 2010 at Khumtar Village in Ghatberia- Kherua area under Balarampur Police Station area. After the rest of the family have fled away in fear. But recently they came back home and now his daughter, Kumkum Singh Sardar is contesting the polls in trinamul congress ticket forthe panchayet samity number two seat.
" Our district is backward district and lots of unemployed people go to other districts for job. Even Rahul Gandhi has criticised the NREGA work in Purulia district during his election campaigns few years back. I want to create more manadays in 100 days scheme and try to develop the area through lots of panchayet projects and fulfill the dream of my father,"says Kumkum.
Shantiram Mahato, local minister said that the party workers have been keeping a constant vigil on these two families fearing further attack by the maoists. " We are sure than both of them will win the polls and help in developmental works in their respective areas,"he added.
C Sudhakar, SP of Purulia said that no special protection is provided to these two families but there is Straco Force camp of the joint forces near Ghatberia - Kherua High School which keeps tab on the Maoist movements in the area.