A newly elected sarpanch and a villager were hacked to death by suspected Maoists in Sukma district of south Chhattisgarh on Wednesday.
“Suchcham Hidma, sarpanch of Gollapalli, and Punem Pandu of Pollampalli were allegedly abducted by Maoists on March 7 along with six other villagers from different parts of the district. Himda and Pandu were killed while the others were released after some warning,” Sukma District Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Santosh Singh told The Hindu .
Mr. Singh said the body of Hidma was recovered and sent for post mortem, but Pandu’s body was yet to be recovered.
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According to sources, Hidma was considered close to P. Vijay, a Salwa Judum leader in Konta block of Sukma.
“Gollapalli is located inside dense forest of Sukma, around 18 km from Maraiguda village which has road connectivity. It falls in Maoists' 'Liberated Zone '. He was abducted two days before the elections by Maoists but was let off. It is difficult to understand why he was killed this time,” said an officer, requesting anonymity.