JMM leaders at the death anniversary function. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, Aug. 8: Dreaded mafia don Hidayat Khan has hitched his political wagon to JMM, which so long did not have a “hardened” criminal to flaunt like other mainstream parties.

Khan’s induction into the party was announced by Opposition leader Stephen Marandi today at a ceremony to commemorate the 16th death anniversary of slain JMM leader Nirmal Mahato. Khan joined the party with 104 supporters. “Our organisation will be strengthened with all these people joining us. They have promised us their support,” Marandi said.

JMM chief Sibu Soren, on the other hand, praised the villagers of Dumaria for daring to take on the extremists. “The villagers have taught the police a lesson and showed them how to tackle the menace,” he said.

For the JMM activists, all roads led to the Samadhi Sthal of former slain JMM president Nirmal Mahato at Uliyan today. The occasion was 16th death anniversary of the former JMM leader, who was shot dead in front of the Chamaria guest house in 1987.

This year’s celebration had a special significance for JMM supporters and also for Mahato’s family as prime accused in the murder case, Birendra Singh, was awarded life imprisonment. Singh later died in course of treatment. The celebrations saw JMM chief Sibu Soren, leader of Opposition Stephen Marnadi and a host of other leaders taking part in it. Earlier in the morning, energy minister Lal Chand Mahato and land reforms minister Madhu Singh had placed wreaths on the Samadhi Sthal of Nirmal Mahato.

“God has given justice to my son’s killer. We are relieved now,” said Priya Bala Mahato, 75-year old mother of Nirmal Mahato. His father Jagbandhu Mahato also echoed similar sentiments. “We had left it to the God to give justice to my son’s killer,” she said.

“Nirmal’s contribution to the party in particular and tribal people of the state cannot be forgotten. It is high time that the government acts on the principles laid down by him,” said Susheel Mahato, younger brother of Nirmal Mahato.