Naxals kill sarpanch in Chhattisgarh

A sarpanch was today killed by suspected Maoists in Chhattisgarh's insurgency-hit Sukma district, police said.

"The incident occurred at around 9 PM at Sodhi Para located in the outskirts of Sukma district headquarter, around 450 kms away from the capital Raipur," Sukma Superintendent of Police Abhishsek Meena told PTI.

The victim, identified as Kalmu Hunga, was Sarpanch of Badesetti village in Fulbagdi area of the district.

He was staying at his brother-in-law's house in Sodhi Para since the last two months, he said.

As per preliminary information, Hunga was having meal with his friends at the house, when a group of naxals stormed in.

The ultras fled the spot after killing Hunga with sharp-edged weapons, he added.

On receiving information, police personnel rushed to the spot, and the body was brought for postmortem, said Meena.

"Hunga was the target of naxals and he was already cautioned by police to stay alert," said the SP.

A combing operation is launched in the area to trace naxals, he added.