PCPA leader arrested in West Bengal’s Lalgarh

Lalgarh, West Bengal, Sept 4 : A top leader of Maoist-backed People’s Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA) was arrested in West Bengal?s Lalgarh under West Midnapore district, reports said on Saturday.

Manoj Mahato, who is the secretary of PCPA, members of an outfit allegedly responsible for the Jnaneswari Express derailment, was held after an encounter, police said, according to TV reports.

However, earlier his family alleged he was picked up from his home early on Friday, a charge denied by police.

Though Manoj Mahato?s connection with the train sabotage is not established, several cases were slapped against him.
Manoj Mahato is the cousin of Chhatradhar Mahato, the PCPA leader now in jail. Chhatradhar was arrested by Kolkata Police’s Special Task Force (STF) last year.

Earlier last month on Aug 26-27, Umakanta Mahato, a key suspect in the Jnaneswari Express derailment and leader of PCPA, was shot dead in an encounter between the combined forces and the Red rebels in West Bengal’s Jhargam region.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was on the lookout of Mahato and had announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head.

The CBI had also announced reward for information leading to the arrest of two other train sabotage accused – Bapi Mahato and Asit Mahato. The two are still absconding.

The CBI has made 12 arrests so far in the Jnaneswari Express derailment that killed 148 people in May this year.

The pandrol clips of the tracks were removed by miscreants leading to the derailment, police said.