CBI names PCAPA convenor,2 others

The CBI,probing the Jnaneswari train disaster,on Thursday named the convenor of the Maoist-backed Peoples Committee Against Police Atrocities PCAPA...

The CBI,probing the Jnaneswari train disaster,on Thursday named the convenor of the Maoist-backed Peoples Committee Against Police Atrocities PCAPA in Lalgarh,Asit Mahato,as one of the three main accused in the May 28 sabotage that led to the death of 148 people.

The investigating agency named two other senior PCAPA members Bapi Mahato alias Manoj and Umakanta Mahato as the other accused.

It announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh each for information leading to their arrest and has also released the photographs of the three. The CBI has declared a reward of Rs 1 lakh each for information leading to the arrest of the three main accused Asit Mahato of Krishnanagar village,Umakant Mahato of Banksole village and Bapi Mahato alias Manoj of Rasua village, CBI spokesperson Harsh Bhal said in Delhi.

Posters containing photographs of the three and announcing the rewards would be put up at public places,officials said. The posters have been printed in English,Bangla and the local Alchiki languages. The CBI has also constituted a Joint Investigation Team comprising three officers of the CBI,three officers of state police,two officers of Railway Protection Force,one officer of Railway Board and two forensic experts to investigate the incident.

West Bengal DGP Bhupinder Singh said: This is an unprecedented move by the CBI. They have declared reward money for any information of Asit Mahato also. It clearly indicates that the investigators have gathered enough evidence against Asit Mahato.

It was learnt that the CBI decided to name Asit Mahato after having interrogated the three persons already in its custody. The three included Khagen Mahato,who had arranged the pick-up van in which the men and material were taken to the accident site for removing pandrol clips.

During interrogation,we got the name of Asit Mahato,who is the chief of PCAPA in the absence of Chhatradhar Mahato. We have collected enough evidence against Asit Mahato that establishes his involvement in the sabotage, said a source in the police.

Story continues below this ad

The CBI move would have a serious impact on the running of the PCAPA. The 31-year-old Asit Mahato had taken over charge after Chhatradhar Mahato was arrested and Lal Mohan Tudu was killed in an alleged encounter with security forces. Asit Mahato,a farmer,was fast emerging as the new leader of the organisation that worked in tandem with the Maoists.

In the absence of Chhatradhar Mahato,senior PCAPA members in three districts West Midnapore,Bankura and Purulia had decided to project Asit as their new leader. Accordingly,Asit Mahato had been spearheading the movements in the Junglemahal area. with ENS,Delhi inputs