A 52-year-old former sarpanch from the BJP in Maoist-affected Bijapur district was murdered by Maoists on Wednesday.

This is the fourth local BJP leader/functionary to be killed by Maoists in Chhattisgarh this year.

Around 4.30 pm, the body of Kaka Arjun, a resident of Ilmidi Kasaram Para village, was found with wounds inflicted from a sharp weapon.

As per local police unidentified persons had asked the deceased Arjun to meet them in Semaldodi. Around 10 am Wednesday he went to the place with his wife on a bike. After reaching there on the instructions of five men he left his wife at some distance and went inside Semaldodi forest with the men. His wife waited for long but when he did not return she returned to their village. Arjun’s body was found lying on a road between Kongupalli-Ilmidi road.

The local Ilmidi police station has registered a case of murder against a local Maoist area committee group, which also left behind a note taking responsibility.

The note mentioned that Arjun had been working for the BJP since 2014, and was against the banned Community Party of India (Maoists).

It aso threatened any person who works against the banned organisation of the same fate.

Earlier this year, between February 5 and February 11, three BJP leaders or functionaries were killed by Maoists.

By Ajay Thakur

Ajay Thakur, a visionary journalist and the driving force behind a groundbreaking news website that is redefining the way we consume and engage with news.