NEW DELHI: A former sarpanch, who was a candidate in the upcoming panchayat elections, was killed by Naxalites in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh, as reported by police on Friday.
On Thursday night, several unidentified individuals entered Joga Barse's (52) residence in Aranpur village and killed him with an axe whilst his family watched, according to a police official.
Upon receiving information, police personnel from Aranpur station reached the location and transported the body for post-mortem examination.
Although no Maoist literature was discovered at the scene, initial investigation suggests Naxalite involvement in the murder.
Barse, who lived in Sarpanch Para locality, had previously served as the village head of Aranpur panchayat. Currently, his wife holds the position of village head.
He was seeking election to the post of sarpanch in the upcoming panchayat polls, scheduled for February 17, 20 and 23. Dantewada district will participate in all three phases of elections.
Previously affiliated with the Communist Party of India (CPI), Barse joined Congress in 2019. Despite panchayat elections being non-partisan, he received Congress support.
On February 4, Naxalites killed a 30-year-old individual in Aranpur area. The previous night, they murdered two men, including their former associate, in adjacent Bijapur district.
On January 26, Naxalites executed a 41-year-old man in Bijapur's Bhairamgarh area, alleging he disclosed information about the banned CPI (Maoist).
On January 16, they killed a 48-year-old man in Bijapur's Mirtur area on suspicion of being a police informant.
Police records indicate that 68 civilians lost their lives in various Naxal-related incidents across the seven districts of Bastar region, including Bijapur, during the previous year.
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