An active rebel of PLFI Sandeep Tirkey (38) was beaten to death by villagers on Monday morning at Tesera village under Sadar police station of Gumla district. Deceased had joined PLFI in 2000 after five of his family members were murdered.
An FIR was lodged against unknown persons and investigation has been started. Preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased had some disputes with villagers over the loot of mobile phones of some youths of Bargaon village by some unknown persons on Saturday. Villagers suspected his involvement.
“On Sunday the deceased had a fight with one of the youths whom he threatened to kill. On Monday morning he was reading a newspaper at a tea stall of his village when hundreds of villagers with sticks started chasing him. Deceased started running away towards Dandtoli to save his life but he was chased, knocked down and beaten to death,” said a police official.
During search of his house police recovered one knife and 10 axes. But no fire weapon was found.
Two years back he was booked by the police for allegedly murdering one Sanichar Pradhan; the panchayat secretary of Brinda village. He was arrested in this case. Last year he was released on bail.
About four months back villagers had killed area commander of PLFI Basant Gope who was the friend of deceased Tirkey.