New Delhi: People's Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA) leader Umakant Mahato, who was accused in the Gyaneshwari train carnage, has been killed in a joint operation by CRPF, SAF and West Bengal Police in Jhargram.
Umakant was believed to be one of the key conspirators of the train sabotage that left 148 people dead and many injured. The probe agency has arrested nine people, including Bapi Mahato. The only PCAPA leader who's still at large is Asit Mahato. The encounter took place in Jhargram.
Mahato was a leader of Maoist-backed PCPA. He was wanted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the Gyaneshwari Express tragedy.
The five-hour gun battle started at around 1.30 am in Mohanpur forest near Lodhashuli.
A 9mm pistol and several rounds of ammunition have been recovered but Mahato's associates fled.
The CBI, probing the case, earlier announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh for information regarding Mahato.
He had been absconding since the May 28 train tragedy, in which 148 people were killed after Maoists allegedly sabotaged a portion of the track, causing derailment of the Mumbai-bound train.
Another prime suspect, Bapi Mahato, has already been arrested. The third prime accused, Asit Mahato, has so far eluded the police dragnet.
(With inputs from IANS)
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