By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, March 14, 2016: Suspected Maoists on Sunday killed former sarpanch of Tentuliguma Panchayat under Baipariguda block of Odisha’s Koraput by slitting his throat.

The deceased Gobardhan Bhumia’s body was found early in the morning near a road in Mantriamba village. The motorbike he used was also found lying nearby.

“Maoist involvement is being suspected in the incident, given their influence in the area and past record of involvement in violent activities. No poster, banner, leaflet or message, however, has been found from the crime spot,” a police official said.

The police has started investigation even though no concrete evidence has emerged yet.

Reports from Malkangiri said as many as 57 Maoist supporters, including 25 women, on Sunday surrendered before the police.

Malkangiri superintendent of police (SP) Mitrabhanu Mohapatra said the Maoist supporters gave up arms before Malkangiri sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Madkar Sandeep Sampat.

“As many as 57 Maoist supporters of Kalimela and Padia Dalam units of Maoists surrendered today at Kalimela police station. There are 11 militia members and two village committee members among them. The remaining are people who supported the Maoists as progress never reached them,” said the SP Mr Mohapatra.

The surrendered Maoists supporters will be rehabilitated as government provisions, he added.

Notably, 19 Maoist sympathisers had surrendered before Malkangiri SDPO on Saturday.

On March 11, 19 more Maoist sympathisers had surrendered.

Overall, 315 Maoist supporters including militia members have surrendered in the past week itself.