Naxalites allegedly shot dead a special police officer (SPO) at his native village Aurapani in Jashpur district of Chhattisgarh today, police said.        

"Siyaram Ekka (40) was shot dead in his native village Aurapani, located close to Jharkhand-Chhattisgarh border in the district, by suspected Naxalites in the morning," SP Manish Sharma said.         

Siyaram was recently deputed as assistant constable and was staying at Jashpur district headquarters Police Line, the SP said.         

According to the officer, Siyaram had left for his village yesterday without informing anyone.          Sharma said police were also investigating whether old rivalry could be the motive behind the incident.