Top Maoist leader Sashadhar Mahato killed

Sasadhar Mahato, a close aid of top Maoist leader and strategist Kisanji, was killed on Thursday in a counter insurgency operation conducted by the Joint Security Force. Sashadhar was the topmost leader of the CPI (M)’s military unit at Junglemahal in West Bengal.

Younger brother of former PCPA spokesperson Chatradhar Mahato, Sasadhar was killed in Chandsara village of Binpur in Jhargram subdivision of west Medinipur. Police claim that his wife Suchitra, another Maoist guerrilla, along with a handful of armed Maoists was present at the time of encounter.

After a tipoff, Police raided Chandsara village when the Maoists hiding in the area retaliated by open firing at the Police. The Maoists tried to flee towards the jungle but was caught by another unit of the Joint Security Force present at the jungle.

Police claimed that Sashadhar was killed in a cross fire. His body was found lying on the open field holding an AK 47 rifle. A mobile phone was also recovered from the spot. Meanwhile, Suchitra and some other Maoists succeeded to escape the operation.

In 2000, to liberate Keshpur from Trinamool Congress, Sashadhar reached a deal with CPM leader of Garbeta and a minister of the state Sushanta Ghosh. The deal failed as the Maoists refused to hand over firearms. Later 11 Maoists were killed at Chhoto Angaria by the CPM. The case is still pending at the Court of Law.

CBI had earlier announced Rs 2 lakh reward for Sashadhar in relation to Gyaneshwari Express accident.