A middle-aged farmer was beaten to death allegedly by suspected members of the CPI (ML-New Democracy) Ravi Dalam (underground squad) at Narsampet village in Palvancha mandal on Wednesday.
The police identified the deceased as Rayala Bhaskar, 55, of Narsampet, a hamlet under Pandurangapuram Gram Panchayat.
The deceased was a supporter of the Telugu Desam Party.
Sources said around 15 persons owing allegiance to CPI (ML-ND) Ravi Dalam allegedly barged into the house of Bhaskar and dragged him out before battering him to death in full public view on Wednesday morning.
The assailants nursed a grudge against the deceased for reportedly seeking the help of the members of another group of CPI (ML-ND) to resolve an internal issue in the village, sources added.
Panic gripped the tiny hamlet surrounded by forest fringe areas, considered erstwhile strongholds of naxal groups, following the gruesome murder.
Case registered
The Palvancha rural police stepped up vigil in the village to prevent untoward incidents.
The police registered a case against 15 persons and are on the lookout for the assailants.
