India, Feb. 25 -- Residents of Massajog village in Maharashtra's Beed district have launched an indefinite hunger strike, protesting against what they call a "dissatisfactory" probe into the murder of their sarpanch, Santosh Deshmukh. The villagers are demanding a reinvestigation into alleged lapses by Kej police in the initial phase and the immediate arrest of absconding accused Krushna Andhale.

The 'Annatyag Andolan' (hunger strike) will continue until officials meet the protesters and assure them of concrete action, said Dhananjay Deshmukh, the slain sarpanch's brother, who is leading the agitation alongside family members. A group of villagers had met Beed Superintendent of Police (SP) Navneet Kanwat on Monday, expressing frustration...