Hardoi (UP), Apr 7 (UNI) A 55-year-old Sarpanch of Nat community was hacked to death allegedly over an old rivalry in front of policemen in Beniganj area of Hardoi district in Uttar Pradesh on Monday, police sources said here.

Police sources said that many families of the nomadic caste (Nat community) live in Bhaingaon village under Beniganj Kotwali area. "In 2009 Sarpanch Mahwat and his brother Bablu were accused of murdering a youth Rampal of their community. "Both of them were jailed in this case," they said.

Police sources said that after getting bail, Sarpanch Mahwat went to Delhi. "After some time, he returned and started earning his livelihood by hawking in the village. On Monday, to take revenge for Rampal's murder, his son and four dozen people from his side, which included men and women, attacked Sarpanch Mahwat," they said.

Police sources said that in a bid to save his life, the Sarpanch entered a house in the village and the villagers informed the police about the matter. "On receiving the information, a constable along with a Home Guard reached the spot and started taking the Sarpanch with them on the motorcycle to the police station," they said.

Police sources said that the attackers ambushed the constable, forcibly took Mahwat from him, and hacked him with an axe in front of the police. "On receiving the information of the incident, Superintendent of Police (SP) Neeraj Singh Jadoun reached the spot with a heavy police force and took the body in possession," they said.

Police sources said that the police have identified the attackers and started searching for them.

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