Decision on CBI inquiry to be taken in a day or two: Jaiswal

Jamshedpur, Mar 5 (UNI) The Centre will take a decision in a day or two on the Jharkhand government's request for a CBI inquiry into yesterday's shooting down of JMM general secretary and MP from this steel city Sunil Mahto by Naxals.

Announcing this at a press conference here, Union Minister of state for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal said more forces would be sent to the state to fight the insurgents.

He said the Centre would not sit idle after seeing anti-social elements unleashing a reign of terror.

Earlier, state Chief Minister Madhu Koda did not rule out ''conspiracy'' behind the killing of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader. Mr Jaiswal also echoed the same and asserted that a thorough investigation will unearth the fact.

Terming the incident as ''cowardly and brutal'', Mr Jaiswal said the Centre would assist the state government on all possible manners to restore normalcy.

Asking the Koda government to work on a war footing to counter the militants, he said joint operation with the neighbouring states would continue as before.

He, however, did not disclose the number of para military forces to be sent to Jharkhand.

UNI