A group of Maoists hacked to death an assistant constable in insurgency-riddled Bastar region, police said Tuesday.
Kondagaon Superintendent of Police D. Shravan said the brutal killing took place at village Iragaon in Kondagaon district when the policeman was returning to his work place after having dinner at home Monday late night.
The 32-year-old Lokesh died on the spot when the Maoists, estimated to be four to five in number, attacked him from behind with axes. The murder created panic in the area and locals observed a shutdown Tuesday to protest the killing.
The Kondagaon SP said that police have launched a major drive to apprehend the killers who are reportedly hiding in nearby forests.
Lokesh, a tribal youth, was earlier working as a special police officer (SPO) and was absorbed only last year as assistant constable in Chhattisgarh Police.