Death Penalties for 3 Former PWG Activists

Patna: January 4, 2008

A fast track court in Patna on Friday awarded death penalties to the three members of the now-defunct People's War Group, a schism of the Maoist rebels, for their involvement in the 2004 massacre in Lahsuna in Masaurhi during which several people were killed for casting their votes in favor of Janata Dal (U).

Justice Om Prakash of the fast track court, however, ordered release of three accused in the lack of sufficient and credible evidence.

The carnage had taken place on May 18, 2004 when nearly a 100 armed Maoist guerillas swooped on Lahsuna village and shot them to death after dragging them out of their homes.

Those who were awarded the capital punishment are Sujit Kumar, Arvind Singh, and Manoj Singh. The court, however, set Umesh Singh, Sahdeo Singh, and Yogendra Singh free in the lack of sufficient evidence.

Patna Daily