Bullet-riddled body of PCAPA leader found

On the eve of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s visit to Lalgarh in West Midnapore,a PCAPA leader was shot dead near Banshtala station in Jhargram area on Monday.

Mangal Mahato (33),an active member of PCAPA,was arrested from Kokrajhar in Assam with arms in April 19,2010. Several cases of murder,abduction and sedition were lodged against him. Mahato was lodged in jail in April 2010 and was granted bail in October,2011. After coming back to his village,Mahato was leading his life as a farmer,though he had contacts with the Maoists groups,said a police official. “Mangal apparently used to work for mass organisations like APDR. But we had information he was working as a Maoists link man,” he added.

Sources said Mahato was spotted on several occasions holding kangaroo courts in Manikpara-Banshtala area.