JMM MP Sunil Mahto shot dead, another leader critical

Jamshedpur, Mar 4 (UNI) Jharkhand Mukti Morcha(JMM) general secretary Sunil Mahto, MP, was shot dead allegedly by the CPI(ML) activists at Kesharpur near Ghatshila in East Singbhum district of Jharkhand tonight, Jamshedpur Superintendent of Police Pankaj Darar said.

Mr Darar said,''Mr Mahto died on the spot in the ambush by the extremists, 100 kms away from here where he was on his way to attend a function on the occasion of Holi.'' Mr Darar said the MP was rushed to Tata Main Hospital soon after the incident where he was declared brought dead.

Another party leader Prabhakar Mahto, who was accompanying the MP, was also stated to be in a critical condition.

Mr Darar said three of his bodyguards were also killed in the ambush.

The militants, in the ambush, had snatched the weapons from the commandoes.

Sunil Mahto was the first time Lok Sabha MP from JMM and a close aide of party chief Sibu Soren.

Mr Sunil Mahto had played a crucial role in the formation of the Madhu Koda government.

UNI