Suspected Maoists gunned down a former Sarpanch of Tentuligumma panchayat under Boipariguda block in Odisha's Koraput district today, a police officer said.
The deceased has been identified as 38 year-old Gobardhan Bhumiyan of Tenguligumma under Boipariguda police station limits, the officer said.
The incident took place near a forested road on NH-326 near Tanginiguda, situated at a distance of around 60 km from here when the former elected panchayat member was on way to his village on a motorcycle from Tanginiguda, the source said.
Though the modus operandi of the crime is similar to that of Maoists, no Naxal letter or poster was found near the body. Police is yet to confirm the involvement of Naxals behind the incident but they do not rule out Maoist role.
"It could also be the fallout of some old enmity and the attackers might have tried to give a Maoist colour to divert police attention. Also, we can't rule out the involvement of Maoists. Details will be known once we complete our investigation," the officer said.
