Pro-Maoist tribal leader, five others get life terms

Pro-Maoist tribal group Peoples' Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) convener Chhatradhar Mahato and five others were on Tuesday sentenced to life imprisonment by a West Bengal court.

Mahato and Sukhsanti Baske, Sambhu Soren and Sagun Murmu were handed down life sentences by the court of Additional Sessions Judge (West Midnapore) Kaveri Bose under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

Charges were slapped against them under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) dealing with murder, criminal conspiracy, waging war against the state, and various other sections of the Arms Act and the Explosives Act.

Raja Sarkhel and Prasun Chatterjee - two other PCAPA members - also got life sentences on charges of sedition.

All six were pronounced guilty by the court on Monday. - IANS