The State Crime Branch police on Monday released two photographs of Chhattisgarh-based Maoists claiming them to be the murderers of the then Umarkote BJD MlA Jagabandhu Majhi and announced a public reward of `5 lakh to anyone who would provide information on them that would lead to their arrests.
The Crime Branch had earlier released a sketch of one of these Maoists and also had announced a public reward of `5 lakh for any relevant information regarding the murder of MlA. This time too, the State Government has approved public reward of the same amount despite the fact that nobody has yet responded to the earlier plea.
In a release issued by Crime Branch SP RC Behera, the police sought public cooperation on any information regarding Mainpur Maoist unit secretary Jane Salem and his associate Satyam Ghawade. Assuring that the identities of the informants would remain secret, the release said `5 lakh would be awarded to the informants.
The Crime Branch had come out with a same request in April 2012. But sources here said that till date nobody has responded to the Government plea irrespective of the whopping award money. Finding it difficult to move ahead with the investigation, the beleaguered police have once again tried to lure the public.
Majhi was shot dead on September 24, 2011 when he was distributing land pattas to tribals at a public meeting at Gona Hat area of his constituency close to the Chhattisgarh border. The police said two youths in Mao fatigues stormed into the meeting place around noon and opened fire at the MlA and one of his bodyguards on the spot. They also raised slogans in support of Red rebels and decamped with weapons of the MlA’s bodyguards.
During course of investigation, the police came to know that Salem had earlier warned the MlA to desist from distribution of land pattas and are, therefore, claiming that Salem could be behind the murder of Majhi.