Malkangiri, Odisha:
A Sarpanch, or village head, was shot dead by Maoists in the southern Odisha district of Malkangiri on Thursday night.
The rebels allegedly killed 40-year-old Soumendra Betti suspecting that he was giving information to police and security forces involved in anti-Maoist operations in the region.
Late last night, the Sarpanch was reportedly called out of his home in village Materu near the border with Chhattisgarh. Betti was reportedly taken to the outskirts of the village, where over a dozen Maoists were waiting.
The police found his body this morning, around 10 km from the village.
The police said the Sarpanch had received many threats from the Maoists, who had warned him against helping the police.
There have been such attacks on village chiefs in the Malkangiri district, which is known for frequent encounters between Maoists and security forces.
In April this year, a Sarpanch was dragged out of his home by around 30 armed Maoists, including women cadres, and shot dead.