Chatra, Jharkhand:
A senior executive with Reliance Power in Jharkhand has been shot dead, allegedly by Naxals in the state.
Manoj Ojha, who was the company's General Manager for Networking in Jharkhand, was killed while on a visit to the Chatra District Headquarters. Another Reliance employee was also shot at, and is critically injured.
Police say that it was a case of mistaken identity, as Naxals thought that the members of a rival group were travelling in the vehicles.
They also say that it was not a pre-meditated attack, and the Reliance officials were surveying coal mines allotted to the company in the area. They had, however, not informed the police about their movement in the area.
Issuing a statement, a RPower Spokesperson said:
"In an unfortunate incident today, certain unknown persons opened fire at two vehicles carrying company officials from Simaria to Hazaribagh in district Chhatra, Jharkhand.
One company executive has succumbed to the injury, and another is seriously injured and is currently under expert medical observation.
The state police has been informed and is investigating the incident. The company is extending its full cooperation to them. The company is deeply saddened at the unfortunate demise of Mr. Manoj Ojha and is committed to provide all the support to his family members. The company is also concerned about the well being of its other officials who got injured in this incident and is taking utmost care to provide the best possible medical help to them."