Violence returned to Kandhamal district of Orissa, after a month with the killing of a Hindu leader by unknown gun men.

Dhanurjay Pradhani of village Kumbharigaon under Brahmanigaon police limits was shot dead by three un-identified armed extremists at a construction site near the village school on Wednesday afternoon.

Pradhani was an activist of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and said to be influential in the locality.

'We suspect Maoist hand in the killing,' Arun Sarangi, deputy inspector general of police, told.

But the locals have blamed Christians for the murder.

SP Praveen Kumar with one company of CRPF personnel has rushed to the spot.

More than 40 people were killed and thousands were rendered homeless in the violence and arson in Kandhamal of Orissa after the killing of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati on August 23.