RAUTAHAT: Debasharan Mahato of Balirampur Tole was killed in gunfire at Katahariya VDC, Rautahat on Wednesday night. Mahato was returning home on his motorbike from Katahariya Bazaar, when an unidentified gang of five shot at him at 10:00 pm, District Police Office (DPO) Rautahat said.

According to an official at the DPO, Mahato sustained bullet injuries in his chest, abdomen and head. Another Jayamangal Yadav, a pillion rider sustained bullet injuries while he was fleeing the scene, the police said. Police have taken hold of Mahesh Raya of Pipara Pokhariya, Bigan Mahato, Laxmi Mahato of Katahariya and Munna Kumar Kushabaha of Motihari India, on the suspicion that they were involved in the incident.

However, Abhinash, Area No 2 secretary of Akhil Tarai Mukti Morcha (ATMM) Rautahat, has taken the responsibility of the murder. Abinash told that they gunned

Mahato down as he was spying on them, police said.