A Bharatiya Janata Party leader from Chhattisgarh's Bijapur, Neelkanth Kakkem was attacked and brutally hacked to death by Maoists, news agency ANI reported citing officials. 

"It has been learnt that the armed cadres of the proscribed CPI (M) attacked Neelkanth with axes and other sharp weapons till he collapsed and died on the spot," the ACP said.

Lalita Kakkem, wife of Neelkanth Kakkem said that three people forcibly took Neelkanth outside the house, and brutally hacked him in the presence of the family members and other villagers after which they fled from the spot.

"We received news that Maoists have killed a civilian in Paikram village under Awapalli police station limits, following which a police team immediately rushed to the spot and seized the video," the ACP said.

Republic Media Network has learnt that the Maoists even left some flyers wherein they explained the reason for killing Kakkem. In the flyers, they said that Kakkem was manipulating the villagers and carrying out atrocities on them. 

They also intended to send a message over the claims that Maoists are on the back foot and their influence has significantly weakened in the state. The murder comes just months before Chhattisgarh will undergo Assembly elections later this year. 

Meanwhile, the police has filed a case in the matter and initiated investigations over the brutal murder.

Image courtesy: Republic