Raipur: A tribal villager, who was at the forefront of a protest against Maoist activities in his village, was killed by Naxals in Chhattisgarh's insurgency-hit Sukma district, police said on Sunday.
The victim, identified as Samnath Baghel (28), was brutally killed with sharp edged weapons on Friday night at his native Nama village, a senior police official said.
The village is located about 20 kms from Tongpal on National Highway-30, which connects Jagdalpur to Sukma, which is around 400 kms from Raipur.
Youths from Nama and the neighbouring Kumakoleng village (both fall under Kumakoleng village panchayat) had been demonstrating against Naxal activities in their villages.
Armed with bow and arrows and other traditional weapons, the youths in the area can be seen patrolling the peripheral areas of their villages throughout the night to ban the entry of rebels.
Baghel and his friend Aayta had led the protest and they mostly stayed away from home during the night hours for patrolling.
"On Friday, Baghel was at home with his wife to take care of their newborn. Suddenly, a group of armed guerrillas stormed into his house and killed him in front of his family warning locals not to engage in anti-Naxal demonstrations," the official said.
After the incident came to light, senior police officials of Bastar, including Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) SRP Kalluri, reached the spot on Saturday.
A case has been registered in this connection, he said adding that assailants have been identified and a combing operation was launched to arrest them.
