Mistaken identity: Villager shot by forces

PURULIA: Jawans of the state counter-insurgency team allegedly shot down the nephew of abducted local Congress leader and government employee Lakshmikanta Mahato, while he was escorting Mahato back home allegedly after paying a ransom. The team mistook the nephew as a Maoist and opened fire.
Police, however, have denied the charge. They said that Aswini Mahato, the nephew, was killed in crossfire between Maoists and security forces.
Residents of the Haratan village under Jhalda II block said suspected Maoists abducted Lakshmikanta Mahato on Thursday. Mahato is the husband of Menaka Mahato - chairman of Jhalda II panchayat samity. "Lakshmikanta, Menoka, their neighbour Biresh Mahato were travelling in a car," said Menoka. On the way to their village while crossing Tutu Pahar, armed people intercepted the car and kidnapped Laksmikanta and Biresh leaving Menoka and driver Dinesh. The armed Maoists allegedly demanded ransom to release the duo.
Locals said responding to the ransom call, the family arranged the cash and sent Aswini Mahato and his friend Goda Mahato to give the amount to the rebel group near Benko forest of Jhalda. Aswini handed over the cash following which the rebels released Lakshmikanta and Biresh.
Acting on a tip off, police surrounded the Benko forest while Aswini was coming back home with Lakshmikanta. Late on Friday night, jawans spotted Aswini and two others on the forest road and opened fire at them, mistaking them to be Maoists. Two others, however, managed to save themselves and were later intercepted by the security force.
The gun shot alerted the red rebels who were camping in the same forest. They retaliated immediately. In the gunfight that followed, Rajat Chowdhury, a police sub-inspector was injured and shifted to Ranchi in critical condition.
Locals added that two weeks ago, Lakshmikanta's brother Syamakanto had also been abducted and was released a few days ago.
Sources said, some trouble broke out between the rebels and Mahato family over the earlier deal which might have led to the abduction of Laksmikanta, who is an influential Congress leader in the area.
Following the ambush, IG Western Zone Zulfiquar Hassan and DIG Midnapore Vineet Goyal visited the spot with district police superintendent Sunil Chowdhury.
Later in the evening they planned to start an operation in the area as for past few months Maoists have been increasing their strength. Police believe senior Maoists leaders like Bikram, Ranjit Pal have been camping in the area. "We have initiated an inquiry on the matter. Mahato was caught in a crossfire, probably died in the Maoist firing," said Zulfiquar Hassan, IG Western Zone.