Raipur: In a gruesome incident, the naxalites of the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) today (July 12, 2004) killed a BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leader at Sarhari village of Pratappur block, about six km from the local police station, in Sarguja district, by slicing his body into five pieces, police sources said.

"Senior BJP leader Parmeswar Pathak was today killed by MCC activists by slicing him into five pieces, in his paddy field," Sarguja police sources told over phone.

Pathak, who was the former BJP President for Pratappur block was on the hit-list of naxalites. Sarguja Range Inspector General of Police Ramniwas told PTI that a police party had been sent to the spot after the information about the incident was received.

Ramniwas said an encounter is taking place close to the Pratappur village between naxalites and the security forces.