In a shocking incident, the Sarpanch Jalalpur, Navipeta Mandal in Nizamabad district was burnt alive by a gang of unidentified persons in the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday.
According to Navipeta Inspector Umachari, initial investigations reveal that the gang entered Sarpanch Dharma Prasad Reddy’s residence by breaking open the door and overpowered him. The intruders tied the Sarpanch to his bed and doused it with petrol. They then set him on fire and ran away.
The police were alerted by Village Servant Kumaraiah who noticed the smoke coming out of the house. He alerted his neighbours and also the fire department. The police rushed to the spot to witness the gory scene.
By this time, Dharma Prasad Reddy was badly burnt. He was alone at the time of the attack.
The Sarpanch’s wife formally lodged a complaint with the police and a case was registered. The body has been shifted to Government General Hospital in Nizamabad for autopsy.
The police have picked up six persons on suspicion of being involved in the brutal killing. They are being interrogated.
Mr Umachari suspects that village disputes may be reason behind the gruesome murder.
Dharma Prasad Reddy was known for his stiff opposition to the establishment of liquor outlets and illegal gambling dens which had sprouted up in the village.