162.158.227.140 at 05:59, 29 July 2022

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{{short description|Caste based gang involved in massacre of upper caste people }}
The '''Ashok Mahto gang''' was a criminal gang in the Indian state of [[Bihar]], led by Ashok Mahto and consisted of members such as Pintu Mahto. Ashok Mahto and his gang were responsible for the killing of a sitting [[Member of parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]] (''Lok Sabha''), [[Rajo Singh]], in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/mahto-keeps-mum-on-allegation-against-lalan-and-cm/406746|title=Mahto keeps mum on allegation against Lalan and CM|date=14 August 2006|website=Outlook India|others=Press Trust of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304040709/https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/mahto-keeps-mum-on-allegation-against-lalan-and-cm/406746|archive-date=4 March 2019|access-date=2019-03-04}}</ref> Although Ashok Mahto was imprisoned , he escaped from Nawada jail in 2002.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/2003/02/17/stories/2003021705531300.htm|title=A revenge attack?|last=Balchand|first=K.|date=17 February 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040927205357/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/2003/02/17/stories/2003021705531300.htm|archive-date=27 September 2004|url-status=dead|website=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2019-03-04}}</ref> Pintu Mahto killed three policemen during the prison break.<ref name=":1" /> The leaders of the gang are said to be belonging to either [[Kurmi-Mahto]] Caste. But , it was supported by all the backward castes in the Nawada and Sheikhpura region as Mahto gang was in a war of retribution with the upper caste [[Bhumihar]]s who were exploitative. Mahto and his gang were responsible for the assassination of a large number of [[Forward Caste]] people in late 90s.<ref name="rediff"/><ref name="Mishra"/><ref name="indianexpress"/>
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox war faction
| name = Ashok Mahto gang <ref name="rediff"/><ref name="Mishra"/><ref name="indianexpress"/>
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| war = "Caste wars of Bihar"
| image =
| caption =
| active = 1990s
| position =
| leaders = Ashok Mahto, Pintu Mahto
| clans = [[Kurmi-Mahto]]
| headquarters = [[Nawada]] and [[Sheikhpura]]
| area =
| size =
| partof =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| allies =
| split =
| battles =
| website =
}}

== Mahto - Singh rivalry ==
The rivalry between Mahto and another gangster Akhilesh Singh affected over 100 villages in the Nawada, [[Nalanda]] and Sheikhpura districts of Bihar.<ref name="Mishra">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Singh-Mahto-crossfire-has-affected-100-Bihar-villages/articleshow/38007968.cms|title=Singh-Mahto crossfire has affected 100 Bihar villages|last=Mishra|first=Dipak|date=20 February 2003|website=The Times of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901135703/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com//city/patna/Singh-Mahto-crossfire-has-affected-100-Bihar-villages/articleshow/38007968.cms|archive-date=1 September 2017|url-status=live|access-date=2019-03-04}}</ref> Between 1998 and 2006, the war which claimed over 200 lives in [[Nawada district]] alone, stemmed from caste conflict between the Bhumihars and Koeris.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://openthemagazine.com/features/india/the-liberation-struggle-of-bihar/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213170438/https://openthemagazine.com/features/india/the-liberation-struggle-of-bihar/|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 December 2020|title=The Liberation Struggle of Bihar|first=P. R.|last=Ramesh|date=15 October 2015|work=Open Magazine|accessdate=2020-04-30}}^ Bihar’s Koeris joined hands with their once-bitter enemies, the land-owning Bhumihars, a group of upper- castes with whom they has been engaged in battles in Nitish Kumar’s own Nalanda district (besides Nawada and Sheikhpura) under the leadership of Ashok Mahto. </ref> The clash between the two groups would decide power over the "stone-crushing" and "sand lifting" arrangements in the areas of rivalry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/nitish-s-record-gets-beating/story-AdqNMkOeMQZib970lxtiiI.html|title=Nitish's record gets beating|date=23 May 2006|website=Hindustan Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304042051/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/nitish-s-record-gets-beating/story-AdqNMkOeMQZib970lxtiiI.html|archive-date=4 March 2019|access-date=2019-03-04}}</ref>In 2003, the Mahto gang allegedly killed the father of a [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of the Legislative Assembly]] (MLA), Aruna Devi (wife of Akhilesh Singh), and five others, including a six-year-old boy. It was reported that the killings were in retaliation for the deaths of seven labourers allegedly by the Akhilesh Singh gang.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2003/feb/16bihar.htm|title=MLAs' kin among seven killed in Bihar gang war|date=16 February 2003|website=Rediff|others=Press Trust of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050414061422/http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/feb/16bihar.htm|archive-date=14 April 2005|access-date=2019-03-04}}</ref> In 2000 they attacked the same MLA's house and killed over 12 people.<ref name=":0" />

The Mahto-Singh rivalry was not merely a rivalry between two gangs for supremacy but the mobilisation of castes in support of each of these two gangs was also taking place. During 2005 elections Aruna Devi, the wife of Akhilesh Singh was one of the candidate for legislative assembly elections from the region on the ticket of [[Lok Janshakti Party]]. According to one of her supporter, all the charges of murders and abductions upon Akhilesh Singh were frivolous and he had just taken up the arms to fight for the honour of his community i.e upper caste Bhumihars. Similarly, Ashok Mahto and his men were said to have taken over the responsibility to protect the rights of downtrodden Koeri community as well as other backward castes. Aruna Devi also faced opposition from [[Pradeep Mahto]], the nephew of Ashok Mahto, who also had several charges against him. Ashok Mahto was also responsible for killing a large number of upper caste people in the area which was famous for [[Sand]] mining and [[Potato]] cultivation.<ref name="rediff">{{cite web|url=https://m.rediff.com/election/2005/feb/03spec.htm|title=Laloo, Aaloo and Baloo|website=reddif.com|first=Salil|last=Kumar|accessdate=2020-07-25}}</ref>

==Arrests and trial==
The Ashok Mahto gang consisted of gangsters such as Pintu Mahto , who had nearly thirty cases of murder and kidnapping to his name, including the murder of three policemen and Congress politician Rajo Singh. Pintu Mahto was responsible for the Ashok Mahto gang in areas of Nawada district such as [[Warisaliganj]] and [[Sheikhpura]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Ashok-Mahto-aide-held-in-Deoghar/articleshow/1717617.cms|title=Ashok Mahto aide held in Deoghar|date=9 July 2006|website=The Times of India|others=Times News Network|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304040955/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Ashok-Mahto-aide-held-in-Deoghar/articleshow/1717617.cms|archive-date=4 March 2019|url-status=live|access-date=2019-03-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.uniindia.com/dreaded-criminal-killed-in-gang-war/states/news/1368991.html|title=Dreaded criminal killed in gang war|date=4 October 2018|work=United News of India|access-date=4 March 2019}}</ref> Besides this the Mahto gang also included the members like Sharda Yadav , who was convicted in massacre of 11 upper caste people at the Apshar village and was also convicted of loots and abduction. He was arrested in 2003 along with 9 other aides.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/home/10-members-of-dreaded-ashok-mahto-gang-arrested-in-bihar_89888.html|title=10-members-of-dreaded-ashok-mahto-gang-arrested-in-bihar|website=Zeenews.com|accessdate=2020-07-25}}</ref> "Ariyari" Police also got success in arresting Bacchu Mahto, the sharpshooter of Mahto gang. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oneindia.com/2006/03/12/dreaded-criminal-arrested-1142229091.html|title=dreaded-criminal-arrested|website= oneindia.com|accessdate=2020-07-25}}</ref> Ashok Mahto himself was finally arrested in 2006, while he was on the way to court, the Bihar Police Special authority police(SAP) officers carried out a procession in which half naked bleeding Mahto was dressed in garland of slippers. This incident sparked controversy and the backward castes of the region saw it as a punishment to the gangster which was meted out to him bacause of his dare to stand upto Bhumihars. Mahto enjoyed considerable support among backwards and thus his public humiliation aroused questions that can the Police humiliate an upper caste gangster in a similar manner. <ref name="indianexpress">{{cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/on-way-to-court-bihar-cops-parade-gangster-with-garland-of-slippers/10698/|title=on-way-to-court-bihar-cops-parade-gangster-with-garland-of-slippers|website=archive.indianexpress.com|accessdate=2020-07-25}}</ref>

After his attendance in the court, Supritendent of Police Amit lodha claimed that Mahto had made a confession of his involvement in Rajo Singh murder case. Mahto however also claimed of his linkage with JD(U) leader Rajeev Ranjan Singh or Lalan Singh. Meanwhile, he also pointed out towards his close ties with [[Chief Minister]] [[Nitish Kumar]]. These claims were not taken seriously by the Court and the Police. The opposition [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]] and Lok Janshakti Party pressed for CBI enquiry in the whole issue and asked Lalan Singh to resign. The Chief Minister himself was under pressure from the opposition.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/mahto-keeps-mum-on-allegation-against-lalan-and-cm/406746|title=Mahto-keeps-mum-on-allegation-against-lalan-and-cm|website=Outlookindia.com|accessdate=2020-07-25}}</ref>

In 2013, a court of Sheikhpura cleared Ashok Mahto , Shambhu Yadav and Anil Mahto in Rajo Singh murder case. All these were convicted for the murder of erstwhile Congress leader of Sheikhpura but in the absence of evidence they were cleared. Presently, Ashok Mahto is incarcerated in [[Nawada]] jail. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.aajtak.in/states-news/bihar-news/story/ashok-mahato-released-in-rajo-singh-murder-case-733338-2013-06-13|title=Ashok-mahato-released-in-rajo-singh-murder-case|website=aajtak|accessdate=2020-07-25}}</ref>

==In popular culture ==
Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Amit Lodha was posted in [[Sheikhpura]] during the time of the arrest of Pintu Mahto. In 2018 he penned a book ''Bihar Diaries'' that doesn't name anyone directly, but media reports match the story to the life of Pintu Mahto.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/decorated-top-cop-pens-cat-and-mouse-tale-of-nabbing-bihar-s-dreaded-outlaw-118071400176_1.html|title=Decorated top cop pens cat-and-mouse tale of nabbing Bihar's dreaded outlaw|last=IANS|date=14 July 2018|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2019-03-04}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Afsar massacre]]

== References ==
<references />
{{Organised crime in India}}

[[Category:Organised crime groups in India]]
[[Category:Criminals from Bihar]]

Ashok Mahto gang - Revision history

162.158.227.140 at 05:59, 29 July 2022