Five persons were arrested in connection with the killing of the mukhiya (village head) of Barheet panchayat in Jharkhand’s Dumka district, a police officer said.

Suresh Murmu, the mukhiya of Barheet panchayat, was shot dead by unidentified persons on Saturday evening.

A special investigation team (SIT) headed by sub-divisional police officer, Jermundi, Shivendra was formed to investigate and apprehend the perpetrators involved in the incident after a case under Sections 302 (murder), 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy) of IPC and Section 27 of Arms Act was registered on the statement of Surujmuni Tudu, wife of Suresh Murmu on April 16, SP Amber Lakra said. In course of the investigation, SIT arrested one accused identified as Santosh Yadav, who spilt the beans during the interrogation, the SP said.

There was a rivalry between Hansdiha panchayat mukhiya Asha Hembram and Murmu, over bagging contract for beautification and construction of boundary wall of a “Jeharthan” (place of worship of tribals), defeat of Hembram’s mother Taloko Soren in the panchayat poll, he said.