A former Sarpanch was allegedly hacked to death by unknown miscreants at Balramprasad village under Nalco Nagar police station jurisdiction in Angul district on Tuesday.
The deceased has been identified as Shibaram Sahu. He was a former Sarpanch of Balramprasad Gram Panchayat.
Though the motive behind the murder is yet to be ascertained, some locals are suspecting that Sahu has been murdered on account of political rivalry.
As per reports, when Sahu was on his way to offer prayer at the village temple, some miscreants launched a deadly attack on him with sharp-edged weapons near his house. He sustained severe injuries on his neck and eventually succumbed to it.
Upon being informed, Nalco Nagar police rushed to the spot and launched an investigation into the case.
Notably, Sahu has unsuccessfully contested the last Panchayat elections from Balramprasad Gram Panchayat.
(Edited by Ramakant Biswas)