4 arrested for murder of Dalit sarpanch

Bilaspur, Sep 2 (UNI) With the arrest of four people, police claimed to have resolved the mystery behind the murder of a Dalit sarpanch at Masturi area in this district, police said today.

''Sarpanch Kaleshwar Suman (38) was gunned down by a few people while he was returning from the house of Gopal Singh Thakur last night,'' Superintendent of Police Vivekanand Sinha told a press conference here.

He said the culprits had fired three gunshots on the sarpanch, who died while being taken to hospital. The countrymade gun used in firing has been seized.

Uttam Singh Thakur, Tikam Singh Thakur, Bankey Singh Thakur and Gopal Singh Thakur had been arrested. Bhola Singh was absconding.

Mr Sinha said the sarpanch had stopped Uttam Singh from gambling in the market and did not provide him valuable land near petrol pump.

After the murder, people had staged a road blockade demanding the arrest of the culprit and ghreaoing the police station.

Inspector General of Police Rajivchand Srivastava gave a prize of Rs 15,000 to the investigating team.

UNI XC-PS SB HS2153