A sarpanch of Singiri panchayat under Aul police station in Odisha's Kendrapara district was today beaten to death by unidentified persons near Chandibazaar Chhak, the police said.
The victim was identified as Chitrasen Das, sarpanch of Singiri panchayat.
Das was allegedly attacked by a group while he was on his way to Aul on a bike at around 6 AM. Das's efforts to leave the place failed as he was grabbed by the miscreants who thrashed him mercilessly resulting in his death on the spot, the police said.
The police was yet to assertain motive of the crime, but said at least six persons were involved.
A manhunt has been launched to nab the miscreants at the earliest, said Kendrapara Superintendent of Police, Nitinjeet Singh.
Angry over the incident, local residents put up a blockade on the state highway passing through Aul. Local Congress MLA Debendra Sharma also joined the road blockade. Inspector of Aul police station has been transferred, the police said.
"The day light murder of the Sarpanch lends credence to the belief that police here have failed miserably to ensure the safety of life and property. The victim Chitrasen had earlier informed the police that his life was at stake. But, the police had turned a blind eye to it," Sharma alleged.
