Family accepts BSF jawan’s body after probe assurance

Jajpur: Family members of Jyotiprakash Panda (25), a BSF jawan from Odisha who reportedly committed suicide with his own service revolver in Hemtabad camp in Raigunj in Siliguri of West Bengal on Sunday, accepted his body after Jajpur sub-collector assured them of a probe into his death.

Demanding a judicial probe into the death of Panda, the family members had earlier declined to accept the body.

According to sources, family members of the dead soldier have raised doubts on the facts and circumstances related to his death. They claim to have received a call from his camp informing them that he died in battle. However, when Panda’s brother visited the camp, it was revealed that he had committed suicide, informed sources.

The body of Panda arrived at his village today. However, family members refused to take custody and demandedd a probe into the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death.

Panda is a resident of Chandipur village in Jajpur district and was a member of BSF’s 167th Battalion posted in Siliguri.
According to a report in the local media West Bengal, Panda shot himself in his neck with his service revolver after his duty on Sunday and died on the spot.