Chandar Singh Barge, leader of local 'Chuktia Bhunjia' tribe, was guarding crops in the field near the remote village along with his wife when over 15 armed ultras struck late last night, police said.

The rebels took Barge, also a former ward member of the area, to a nearby place where they shot him dead, police said, adding that the ultras probably suspected the victim to be a police informer.

The Maoists then left the area after putting up a poster in support of their activities.

A police force went to the area but apprehending landmines had been planted in the area, force movement was slow.

The incident came two days after the Maoists killed a forest committee member engaged in anti-poaching activities in the Sunabeda wildlife sanctuary area in the district on November 15.

Bureau Report