Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Kendrapara, Jun 8:

A panchayat sarpanch was beaten to death by unidentified miscreants near Chandibazaar Chhak in Odisha's Kendrapara district today morning. The deceased was identified as Chitrasen Das, sarpanch of Singiri panchayat under Aul police limits.

road block

According to sources, a group of miscreants started following Das near Chandibazaar when the latter was on his way to Aul on a bike at around 6 am. Though Das tried to leave the two-wheeler and run away, he was grabbed by the miscreants. They thrashed him mercilessly resulting in his death on the spot.

The culprits fled the spot soon after committing the crime. Though the motive behind the attack was yet to be ascertained, it is suspected that past enmity might have led to the murder.

Following the incident, irate locals staged road blockade by burning tyres at Aul Medical Chhak demanding immediate arrest of the accused. The locals also demanded transfer of Aul police station IIC claiming that the official is inefficient. Vehicular movement was disrupted along Cuttack-Chandabali route due to the roadblock.

The blockade was withdrawn after Kendrapara SP transferred the IIC, sources said.

In a telephonic conversation with 'Kanak News', Aul MLA Devendra Sharma alleged that the IIC was involved in collecting extortion and is an alcoholic. The legislator has demanded a Crime Branch probe into the incident.

"Das had earlier informed the IIC regarding risk at his life. However, police failed to provide him security," Sharma said.