Ex-office bearer of panchayat samiti gunned down by Naxals

A former office-bearer of a village panchayat samiti in the district was killed by Naxalites, police said today.

Around three-four armed Naxalites barged into the residence of Etapalli panchayat samiti's former deputy chairman - Ghisu Mattami - last night, when he was sitting in the courtyard with his wife, and fired at him, they said. The Naxals immediately fled from the spot.

The grievously injured Mattami was admitted to a rural hospital at Etapalli where he was declared dead by doctors, police said.

Mattami's wife Lalita, the present chairman of Etapalli panchayat samiti, escaped unhurt in the attack.

Police have launched a search for the assailants and are conducting further investigation.

This is the third major attack by Naxals in Gandchiroli district this month.

On May 25, a former zilla parishad member was murdered by the rebels at Nilamguda village in Aheri taluka of the Naxal-hit district.

Prior to that, on May 11, seven policemen were killed in a landmine blast triggered by Naxalites near Murmuri village in Chamorshi taluka of Gadchiroli.