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MLA shot in wheelchair by Subhashish Mohanty


An Orissa lawmaker, wheelchair bound since Maoists targeted him seven years ago, was shot dead in front of hundreds of people today as he distributed land title rights to villagers in a rebel-infested zone.

The afternoon attack was the third by suspected Maoists on Umerkote MLA Jagabandhu Majhi, who was said to have been popular because of his social work.

“It might be a Maoist attack. The area falls in a Maoist belt,” Umerkote sub-divisional police officer Ashok Sahu said, adding that the 39-year-old, who was with the ruling BJD, might have been targeted because of his popularity. “Maoists always treat popular leaders as a threat.”

Majhi’s personal security officer Prasanta Kumar Patra, 25, also died in the attack at Gonahatapadar village in Nabarangpur district, which borders Maoist-affected Chhattisgarh.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik condemned the “brutal and savage killing” and said he had ordered a probe by the police crime branch. “I am deeply shocked,” he added.

Majhi had reached the village shortly after noon. “He had distributed around 10 pattas (land deeds) when three youths on a motorcycle opened fire at Patra. Then they shot Majhi. They sprayed bullets all around to scare the people,” Babalu, a witness, said. Around 400 people were present but none dared to stop the killers, who sped away.

Sources said Majhi did not follow security guidelines and often ventured into Maoist areas without informing the police despite the crippling injury he suffered in 2004.

On March 14 that year, the rebels had attacked Majhi during an election campaign. He suffered serious injuries to his spinal cord and had since then moved around in a wheelchair. In 2010, he survived another attempt when bombs hurled at his car missed him.

Police officer Sahu said according to the security guidelines circulated for MPs, MLAs and ministers in Maoist areas, Majhi should have informed the local Raighar police station about his programme with a copy to the SP.

“Had we got the information in advance, we would have arranged security accordingly. But the MLA was not in the habit of informing the police or the administration about his programmes in advance.”