Naxals kill sarpanch, release tribals

Suspected Maoist extremists on Thursday killed a sarpanch and released six tribals who were abducted from Gangalur road in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh. However, three special police officers, who were accompanying the abducted villagers have still not been released.

Police sources said about 40 Maoist cadres raided Jaigurh village in Bijapur district, about 575 km from the state capital, and killed sarpanch R K Sonu. 8220;The Sarpanch was killed as the Naxalites suspected him of being a police informer. Sharp-edged weapons seem to have been used in killing the sarpanch. After killing the sarpanch, rebels fled,8221; sources added.

Meanwhile, six of the nine tribals who were kidnapped on Wednesday by armed militants when they were on their way to Gangalur from Bijapur were released on Thursday. 8220;Six of them have returned to their village near Gangalur, but the rebels have not yet released the three SPOs,8221; stated IG Bastar Range R K Vij.

The villagers were abducted while they were travelling in a jeep. The extremists stopped the vehicles by felling trees on the road and took the nine men hostage. The IG added that several search parties are at present combing the area for clues regarding the missing SPOs.