'Slain' by Maoists, 2 CPM men return

JHARGAM: Springing a surprise, two CPM workers who were believed to have been killed by Maoists returned home on Monday.

Gopal Mahato and Khagen Mahato, residents of Shabardanga in Jhargram, said they were hiding in neighbouring Dubhkundi after they learnt of the alleged Maoist threat to their lives on Sunday afternoon.

Interestingly, Maoist leader Kishanji had claimed responsibility for the "murder" of Gopal, former zilla parishad karmadhyakshya, and Khagen, saying they killed the duo to avenge the death of two villagers in firing by the joint forces.

Confirming the return of the duo, CPM district secretariat member Dahareswar Sen said: "We feared the Maoists had killed Gopal and Khagen Mahato. The Maoists had organised a 'people’s court' against them and their mobiles were also switched off. We came to know on Monday that they were alive."

Advocates and law clerks on Monday threatened to "paralyse" the judicial system if the administration failed to restore normality within 24 hours in Jhargram sub-division.

More than 50 advocates and law clerks submitted a memorandum to the Jhargram sub-divisional officer, P Ulganathan, highlighting the "grave situation" in the area. They also threatened to put their work on hold if the communication/transport systems were not restored and adequate security was provided to those working in Jhargram.

Senior advocate Satindranathpati Chowdhury and Sushanto Ghosh said they told SDO that common people were unable to appear in court and get justice as essential services were suffering because of the ongoing strife in Jangalmahal.

Advocate Kaushik Sinha said: "We didn’t demand withdrawal of the joint forces. Rather, we pointed out that the government has not taken any initiative to run state and private buses in Jangalmahal for months. Also, people returning home after a hard day’s work are being harassed by the joint forces and Maoists."