Sorada: Police recovered four bodies, including those of a young couple, buried in a forest about 3 km from Mankadachuan village under Badagada police limits in Ganjam district Monday and detained three persons in this connection.
The deceased were identified as Bhima Sabar, his wife Jemi Gamango and his cousin Saindru Raita and friend Anand Raita. Bipra Raita, Basudev Gamngo, Bambeda Gamango and Gourang Mandal have been detained. Police said the four are suspected to have been killed Saturday. The incident has spread shockwaves in the area.
Ganjam superintendent of police (SP) Narsingh Bhol accompanied by sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Subhash Panda and Sorada police IIC rushed to the spot and started an investigation. The bodies will be sent for post-mortem Tuesday.
The police went looking for the four after three villagers lodged a complaint at Badagada police station Monday morning that the victims were missing since Saturday when they had gone to the forest to collect firewood.
Police said Bhima (35), who worked as a Gaon Sathi, had married Jemi of Palashpadar village in neighbouring Gajapati district a few years ago. However, he was unhappy as Jemi failed to conceive.
Later he developed a relationship with the daughter of his maternal uncle.
The girl soon became pregnant and delivered a baby girl two months ago. Concerned, Bhima’s uncle started pestering Bhima to marry his daughter. However, despite repeated requests Bhima was unwilling to marry her.
As a last ditch effort, Bhima’s uncle visited him Saturday and invited him, his wife, Saindru and Anand to his home to resolve the issue.
The four visited his home Saturday evening but never returned. It is suspected that the assailants killed the four with sharp-edged weapons and lathis before burying the bodies in forest. PNN
