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Pragya Kendra operator cum BJP leader Tarapad Mahato, 40, was shot dead by criminals on Monday night in Galudih police station area under Ghatshila sub-division of East Singhbhum district. The incident took place at Pragya Center located near Khadiya Colony Bus Stand of Ulda Panchayat.

Local villagers are angry about this incident. Tarapad Mahato, resident of Putru village, was running the CSC (Pragya) center in Khadiya Colony for the last two years. On Monday, due to Jharkhand’s regional festival Tusu, the center was bustling with activity throughout the day. By around 8 pm, a large number of rural women were present at the center for online money withdrawal and other digital services.

Meanwhile, two masked criminals riding on a bike reached there. According to eyewitnesses, both the criminals went straight inside the center and asked Tarapada Mahato for his name and address. As soon as it was confirmed that he was Tarapada Mahato, the criminals took out their pistols and fired at him indiscriminately. As soon as two bullets were fired, Tarapada Mahato fell on the ground bleeding.

The sudden firing created panic among the women and local people present in the center and people started running here and there. After committing the crime, the criminals fled towards Tata on the bike.

The local people showed courage and prepared to take Tarapada Mahato to the hospital, but by then he had died. As soon as information about the incident was received, Galudih police station reached the spot and surrounded the entire area and started investigation.

It is said that there was a dispute going on for many years regarding land in the village of Tarapad Mahato. There had been incidents of fighting in the past also regarding this dispute. Police are investigating the case from this angle also. He was the husband of Asharani Mahato, the deputy head of Ulada Panchayat.

After the incident, the family members are in bad condition and crying. Police are scanning the footage of CCTV cameras installed nearby and raids have been intensified in search of absconding criminals.