Bijapur, Jan. 21 -- Maoists struck again in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region on Tuesday, with the fatal shooting of a former village sarpanch in Bijapur district, reigniting fear across remote tribal settlements already on edge amid continuing insurgent activity.
The victim, Bhima Madkam, was killed in his agricultural field at Kawargatta village under Pamed police station. According to villagers who witnessed the attack, armed Maoists arrived suddenly and opened fire, killing him instantly, before fleeing into the surrounding forest.
Residents said several villagers were present nearby when the attack took place. Madkam, who had returned earlier in the day from Bacheli, was engaged in routine farm work when he was targeted. Locals maintained...