For the first time in recent history, the rebels admitted to their mistake in killing a poor cloth vendor at Chakai block in Jamui district. They also assured the deceased’s family members of providing adequate compensation.

The Maoists also promised the mother a slain foodgrain merchant in Lakhisarai that the killers of her son would soon be punished in a jan adalat (people’s court — a sort of kangaroo court conducted by the rebels in remote areas).

Avinash, the zonal spokesperson of Bihar, north Jharkhand and north Chhattishgarh special area committee of CPI(Maoists), told journalists over telephone that the murder of 49-year-old cloth merchant Arun Sah was a mistake. “He used to live in a hut near Debri police station at Giridih in Jharkhand. He would travel 11km daily to Chakai to sell cloth. The junior cadres were asked to watch his activities but they killed him without the consent of senior leaders of our organisation,” he said.

The Naxalite leader said the organisation would take action against the cadres responsible and provide compensation to Arun’s family members. Arun, a native of Buxar, was abducted by the rebels on March 19 near the Bangi forest in Chakai block.

On March 30, Avinash revealed that the cloth merchant had been killed.

On Wednesday, Sundaram, his son, and widow Rubi Devi, appealed to the rebels to hand over the body to them.

Jamui superintendent of police Dipak Barnawal and Jhajha sub-divisional officer Bumbum Choudhary were unavailable for comment. The station house officer of Chakai, Durgesh Ram, said efforts were being made to recover the body.

In the incident of the disappearance and killing of 22-year-old foodgrain merchant Raju, the rebels denied any involvement.

Lakhisarai resident Raju had gone to Tatrahat under the jurisdiction of Halsi police station in the first week of March. He went missing soon after and his body was found in the Kabutarikol forest under the jurisdiction of Kajra police station in the second week of March.