Raipur, January 21: In a horrifying incident, Maoists struck terror in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district by brutally murdering a former sarpanch, reigniting fear in the region’s already volatile Bastar division, officials reported.

The victim, Bhima Madkam, a 40-year-old resident of Kanchal village, was shot dead while working on his agricultural field in Kaurgatta village, located under the Pamed police station.

Witnesses stated that armed Maoists ambushed him, firing multiple rounds from an AK-47 rifle in a swift and ruthless attack.

The assailants immediately fled the scene, leaving locals in panic. Police sources confirmed the involvement of Maoists, pointing to the use of sophisticated weapons and the victim’s past as a former village head. Bhima Madkam had previously survived a Maoist assassination attempt, suggesting he had been targeted repeatedly due to his opposition to extremist activities in the area.

This murder represents a disturbing escalation in Maoist violence, particularly targeting civilians in the ongoing anti-Maoist crackdown. The body of the slain sarpanch was recovered and sent for post-mortem, after which it was handed over to his family for cremation amid a strong security presence.

Villagers, shaken by the loss of a respected leader, gathered in large numbers to mourn. Madkam had recently returned to his native village from Dantewada’s Bacheli area, further deepening the grief of the community.

The murder has sparked widespread panic in remote villages, with locals fearing further retaliation from Maoists. Local leaders and families of former panchayat members have urged for tighter security measures, calling for more police stations and patrols in these vulnerable areas.

In response, security forces have launched extensive search operations in the surrounding forests to locate the perpetrators. A case has been filed under the relevant sections, including those on unlawful activities, and investigations are ongoing to identify the Maoist faction responsible.

This attack comes in the wake of several recent encounters in which security forces neutralized Maoist cadres in Bijapur, hinting at the possibility of the murder being a retalitory act.