Patna, July 29 - Suspected Maoist guerrillas Wednesday shot dead a panchayat head in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar as he refused to pay levy to the rebels, police said.

Premchand, head of Paigampur panchayat in Muzaffarpur, was killed outside his residence by a group of armed Maoist rebels at Dera Chowk in Minapur block, a police officer said.

The village head had been demanding security from the state government fearing a threat to his life. He also sought help from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar by appealing in the local dailies a few months ago.

Earlier, Premchand's brother was killed by the members of outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist who have been demanding levy from the rich people of Minapur.