Former Maoist Abducted, Beaten To Death By Suspected Rebels In Jharkhand

A former Maoist was allegedly beaten to death by suspected members of the banned CPI (Maoist) outfit in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district, police said on Saturday.

The victim, identified as Ramesh Champia , was reportedly abducted from his residence in Dugunia village under the Goilkera police station limits on Friday night. According to police sources, a group of armed men believed to be Maoists arrived at his house and forcibly took him away despite resistance from his wife, who was threatened during the incident.

Champia was allegedly taken to a nearby forest area, where he was beaten to death. The assailants later dumped his body on the Goilkera–Manoharpur main road, officials said.

Superintendent of Police Amit Renu said the body was recovered on Saturday morning, and a case has been registered. “We have initiated an investigation and are examining all possible angles,” he said.

Police officials noted that Champia had a history of association with the Maoist outfit and had served time in jail. However, after his release, he had reportedly distanced himself from the group and was leading a normal life, working with a road construction company.

While the exact motive behind the killing is yet to be ascertained, investigators suspect he may have been targeted on suspicion of acting as a police informer. Officials are also not ruling out the possibility of old rivalries or internal disputes within the outfit playing a role in the murder.

The body has been sent to the Chakradharpur Sub-Divisional Hospital for post-mortem examination.

Security forces have intensified combing operations in the region following the incident.