Tension gripped Konark on Friday after the half-burnt body of an unidentified youth was recovered from a field near Raita Sahi in the Balidokan area under Konark police station limits in Odisha’s Puri district. According to reports, local villagers spotted the body early in the morning while passing through the area for their daily activities. 

The remains were found in Gotha Padia, and the extent of the burns was so severe that the identity of the deceased could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report.

Shocked residents immediately alerted the police, who reached the spot and began an investigation. Locals said such an incident was unprecedented in the area, triggering fear and widespread speculation among villagers.

Police have sent the body for post-mortem and initiated efforts to establish the youth’s identity and determine the circumstances leading to the incident.

Police Begin Investigation

Police personnel, including the Konark Police Station IIC, reached the site soon after receiving the information and began an investigation.

A forensic team and the SDPO were also on their way to the scene at the time of reporting to carry out further examination and assist in determining the sequence of events. 

Preliminary suspicion suggests that miscreants may have murdered the youth elsewhere, burnt the body using a flammable substance such as petrol to destroy evidence, and then dumped it at the location.

Locals Demand Justice

As per reports, a crowd of local residents soon gathered at the spot, observing the police procedures as the investigation got underway. 

One local resident said, “We received news that a burnt body of a youth was discovered in the field, so we came to see what was happening. We believe the administration will take the right steps, but we urge that the miscreants be brought to justice, as this is unacceptable.”

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Initial observations indicate that the face of the deceased was completely burnt, reportedly to prevent identification. Police are continuing their inquirie,s and further forensic analysis is expected to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the incident, sources said.