Relatives of Mahto wait to take his body from MGM Medical College in Jamshedpur on Saturday. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, Aug. 14: Maoist rebels killed alleged police informer Dusashan Mahto near Chowka, a Naxalite stronghold in Seraikela-Kharsawan district, late last night.

Police found the mutilated body of Mahto near a culvert at Juru, around eight kilometres from Chowka.

Three motorbike-borne Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) cadres forcibly accosted the 35-year-old Mahto when he was heading home to Bansa village under Chowka police station at about 10.15pm.

Sources said that Mahto resisted the Maoists, who slapped him and forced him at gunpoint to accompany them.

Soon after reaching the culvert, the rebels pumped seven bullets into Mahto and also mutilated his face and head with sharp-edged weapons.

They also left behind leaflets claiming that the killing was revenge for the murder of Van Raksha Samity member Sukhlal Majhi around eight months ago near Chowka. The rebels believed Mahto had connived with criminals to eliminate Majhi.

The name of Rambilas Lohar, a local criminal who has joined MCC, figured in police investigations.

“We have information that Lohar was behind the killing of Mahto. Lohar is a noted criminal active in Naxalite operations. We are investigating the case,” said Brahmdev Prasad, officer in-charge of Chowka police station.

Sources said Mahto, a former block president of JMM who had recently joined the Congress, was heading home on his motorbike on National Highway 33 last night after having dinner in a hotel. The Maoists were also in the hotel when Mahto was having dinner, keeping an eye on him.

They followed him on their motorbike as soon as Mahto left the place, sources said.

Earlier, the Maoists had warned Mahto not to become “friendly” with the police.