Phulbani: A former Sarpanch was shot dead by Maoists on the suspicion of acting as a police informer in Phiringia area of Odisha’s Kandhamal district.
The incident took place at Saulipada village under Phiringia block of the district. The deceased, ideitified as Subal Kanhar, was a former Sarpanch.
According to sources, a group of over ten armed red rebels stormed the village late on Wednesday night and barged into the house of the former Sarpanch.
The ultras then called Kanhar and took him to a place on the outskirts of the village where they shot him dead before leaving the site. They claimed that Kanhar was punished as he was working as an informer for the police.
Kanhar had reportedly been threatened by the naxals in the past.
On being informed, police rushed to the village and intensified combing operation in the area.