Disabled Orissa MLA shot dead by suspected Maoists

Jagabandhu Majhi (39), ruling BJD MLA from Umarkote assembly seat in Nabarangpur district of Orissa, was shot dead on Saturday by three masked men at a public function. The assailants, who came in a motorcycle, also killed Majhi’s personal security officer (PSO) PK Patro, police said.

 

The incident occurred at about 1 pm when Majhi, a tribal leader, had gone to Gona village – 80 km from Nabarangpur district headquarter and more than 500 km southwest of Bhubaneswar – to distribute land pattas to landless tribals.

As the forested village is near the border of Chhatisgarh and affected by Maoist activities, Maoist hand is suspected in their murder, but police did not rule out past personal enmity either. “He had been attacked earlier also. A clear picture would emerge after a detailed inquiry,” said YB Khurania, IG (operations).

Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik ordered a crime branch (CB) probe into the incident few hours after the incident. “I am deeply shocked. He (Majhi) used to move around in a wheel chair. I have put the CB on the job of investigation,” Patnaik said.

Majhi became wheel chair bound after he was shot in the waist just before 2004 assembly elections. Though he lost the 2004 election, he won the Umarkote seat in 2009 assembly election for the first time.

Source: Hindustan Times

Link: http://www.hindustantimes.com/Disabled-Orissa-MLA-shot-dead-by-suspected-Maoists/Article1-749581.aspx