A former Maoist was allegedly shot dead by Naxals on suspicion of being a police informer in a jungle near Jharkhand border in Sundargarh district. The deceased, identified as Nelson Bhengra, was beaten up mercilessly before being shot dead.
Bhengra, who hailed from Samatha village under the Jaraikela police limits, had been arrested by Bisra police for his Maoist links in May last year. He had been released two months back on bail, following which he was working as a night guard at a culvert.
On January 10 night, a group of Maoists barged into his house and dragged him to the nearby Saranda jungle suspecting him to be a police informer. They then thrashed him ruthlessly and then shot him dead besides leaving a leaflet claiming responsibility next to his body.
Getting information, police and CRPF personnel started search operations.