Visakhapatnam, Jan 6 (IANS): Maoists shot dead a former sarpanch (village headman) of the ruling Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh's Viskhapatnam district late Tuesday, police said on Wednesday.

The killing occurred in Jarrila village in G K Veedhi mandal, a tribal area in Visakhapatnam district.

S. Venkatramna, a former sarpanch and director of market yard, was kidnapped from the village on Tuesday night by a group of Maoists.

The Communist Party of India (Maoists) sent a message to the village early Wednesday morning that they have killed him for supporting the bauxite mining and also for acting as a spy for police.

The Maoists also posted wall posters, warning TDP and BJP leaders against organising party activities and supporting bauxite mining.

The 36-year-old local leader was earlier warned by the extremists against participating in party activities.

Maoists and tribals have been strongly opposing the government move to allow bauxite mining in the agency areas.

Maoists on Tuesday had gunned down a tribal in Sariyapalli village in Manchangiputta mandal for allegedly working as a spy for police.

Following the two incidents, police in the agency belt have gone on high alert and launched combing operations.