Sambalpur: A former sarpanch of Salebhata panchayat under Naktideula police limits in Sambalpur district was allegedly hacked to death by unidentified miscreants on Monday night.
The deceased identified as Parsuram Pradhan was chased by a group of five armed miscreants at Talasaburi here while he was returning home from Padampur. They attacked Pradhan with knives and lathis, following which he sustained grievous injuries.
He was rushed to Naktideula hospital in a critical condition and later shifted to VIMSAR in Burla, where the doctors declared him dead.
Locals told police that the former saranch had sought information regarding some cooperative society under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. This might have led to the murder by his opponents.
“My father had an old enmity with a group of persons in the same village for their illegal activities. I suspect involvement of at least five villagers namely Dasuri Dhala, Rushi Dhala, Gobinda Dhala, Ratish Dhala and Rakesh Dhala in the case,” alleged son of the deceased Tuna Pradhan.
Based on the statement, police have started investigation and launched a manhunt to nab the suspects.
