Anosh Ekka

Ranchi, April 16: Rural development minister Anosh Ekka found himself in a spot after his name was dragged into this morning’s killing of 70-year-old Gajendra Sahu, father of former pollution board chief Tileshwar Sahu.

Six assailants gunned down Gajendra at a cattleshed in Jamdih village, 90km from the Gumla district headquarters, when he and wife Rukmani Devi were visiting their ailing daughter.

“My father was killed at the minister’s instance,” alleged Tileshwar, with whom Ekka is known to have a love-hate relationship.

The minister, however, denied the accusation.

Based on Tileshwar’s allegation and the FIR filed by Rukmani Devi, the police have registered a case against Ekka for “planning a conspiracy to kill Gajendra Sahu”.

Among the others named in the FIR were Deep Narayan Singh, Laxman Singh, Deonath Baraik, Hari Singh, Ravi Singh and Yogendra Singh. They have been booked under sections 302 of IPC and, 34 and 27 of the Arms Act.

The assailants are said to be members of the Rautia Communist Centre (RCC), a breakaway group of the Jharkhand Liberation Tiger (JLT). Both are gangs of petty criminals. The JLT is said to have killed Tileshwar’s cousin a few months ago.

Sadan Vikas Parishad, an organisation of native non-tribals, and the Jharkhand Teli Samaj have called for a Gumla bandh tomorrow in protest against the killing.

Gumla DSP Alban Tigga said the FIR was based on “eyewitness” Rukmani Devi’s statements. He said raids are on to nab the accused. “So far we have recovered a regular rifle, a motorcycle and 30 live cartridges,” Tigga added.

But Ekka denied his involvement. “What could I achieve by killing a 70-year-old man. He was neither my political rival nor a witness in court in any case against me,” he said.

Condemning the incident, the minister from adjoining Simdega district said it was a conspiracy to tarnish his image. “Sahu is facing a number of criminal cases. He should not compare himself with me,” added Ekka.

The killing is said to be fallout of rivalry among various gangs of rebels, including JLT, RCC, TPC, and also Maoists active in Gumla, Simdega and Khunti and rural Ranchi (all parts of the old Ranchi district).

The Naxalites had recently attacked villagers in the Semra-Bhandratoli area and killed nine persons. Tileshwar has been backing the Sena formed to counter Maoists’ terror.