Jhargram: Top Maoist leader and a key suspect in the Gyaneshwari Express train disaster, Umakanto Mahato, has been killed by joint forces in West Bengal's Jhargram district. (In pics: Gyaneshwari Express derails, hit by goods train)
Mahato was killed in an overnight encounter at Mohanpur forest, about 30 km from Jhargram.
He was a leader of Maoist-backed People's Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA) and was wanted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the Gyaneshwari Express accident.
After the attack, Home Minister P Chidambaram had said that "the needle of suspicion in the attack on the Gyaneshwari Express in West Bengal points to the CPI-Maoists or a front organization for the CPI-Maoists."
The CBI had announced a reward of Rs 3 lakh for information leading to the arrest of three prime accused in the case - Bapi Mahato, Umakanto Mahato and Asit Mahato. Bapi and Asit are still absconding.
It constituted a joint investigation team comprising three officers of the CBI, three officers of the state police, two officers of the Railway Protection Force, one officer of the Railway Board and two forensic experts.
Mahato was killed in an overnight encounter at Mohanpur forest, about 30 km from Jhargram.
He was a leader of Maoist-backed People's Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA) and was wanted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the Gyaneshwari Express accident.
After the attack, Home Minister P Chidambaram had said that "the needle of suspicion in the attack on the Gyaneshwari Express in West Bengal points to the CPI-Maoists or a front organization for the CPI-Maoists."
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The CBI had announced a reward of Rs 3 lakh for information leading to the arrest of three prime accused in the case - Bapi Mahato, Umakanto Mahato and Asit Mahato. Bapi and Asit are still absconding.
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It constituted a joint investigation team comprising three officers of the CBI, three officers of the state police, two officers of the Railway Protection Force, one officer of the Railway Board and two forensic experts.
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