Mohana: Police are investigating the death of a woman sarpanch candidate whose body was found inside Sagadia hill forest under Mohana block in Gajapati district this morning.
Talking to media persons today, RN Barik, SDPO, R Udayagiri, said the deceased Mini Dalabehera of Baghamari village had filed her nominations as a sarpanch candidate of Baghamari Gram Panchayat on January 11. “She had gone to the Canara Bank at Chandragiri on January 13. Since then, she had gone missing. This morning, her charred body was found inside Sagada hill forest near Jirang village. Prime facie investigation has revealed that the assailants have burnt the woman after killing her. We have identified the body and started investigation,” he added.
Asked whether the murder was an outcome of political rivalry, Barik said police are yet to receive any such complaint. Even the family members have no idea on the reason of murder, he pointed out
“We have taken up this case seriously and we will identify the assailants very soon,” the SDPO said.
The family members had lodged a complaint with Chandragiri Police after they failed to trace the whereabouts of Dalabehera.
Paula Dalabehera, father of the deceased, said his daughter had filed nomination as a Congress candidate for the post of sarpanch of Baghamari panchayat.
To a question on who could be behind the murder of his daughter, he said he suspects the involvement of two candidates of other political parties who had filed nominations along with his daughter.
“Following the incident, there would be no further nominations. Besides, there would be no election in Baghamari panchayat till the assailants are identified and arrested,” Paula pointed out.