VISAKHAPATNAM: A 35-year-old church pastor was brutally murdered by unidentified persons who slit his throat with a sharp-edged weapon at Jerrela village of GK Veedhi mandal in the district, in the wee hours of Tuesday.
Police said, S Dumbu alias Bingo, of Dumbriguda mandal, settled as church pastor in Jerrela a few years ago. His wife Janaki is living with him, while their sons are studying at Chintapalle village.
In the early hours of Tuesday, a masked man knocked door of Dumbu’s house and told him that Maoists were waiting for him to discuss an issue. A hesitant Dumbu left with the masked man, while Janaki stayed back home. A few minutes later, the masked man came back to Dumbu’s house and informed Janaki that the Maoists killed the pastor reportedly for his irregularities in the maintenance of church. He also tried to molest her and fled with `2,500. The police suspect the involvement of 3 locals.