Jharkhand shut down to protest lawyer's murder

The state of Jharkhand observed a shutdown on Monday to protest the killing of a lawmaker and three of his bodyguards by suspected Maoist rebels. In Ranchi where shops remained closed, JMM activists took to streets, shouting slogans and waving party flags and blocking vehicular traffic. Meanwhile, Madhu Koda, chief of Jharkhand met with the governor Syed Sibtey Razi to apprise him on the killings. Koda said a hunt for the terrorists has been launched. Sunil Kumar Mahato, lawmaker belonging to Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) was shot dead on Sunday when he was visiting the village as guest of honour at the match being played to mark a Hindu festival. Mahato died on the way to hospital in Jharkhand. One of his supporters was also killed in the shooting.