Post News Network
Keonjhar, Feb 8: In a shocking incident, a two-and-half-year-old boy, who had remained missing for nine days, was found dead with his body dumped at an abandoned pond, 500 metre away from his house in Pabitradiha-Baral Lodge lane here Sunday.
Deceased Kalia, son of Dibyaranjan Rout, was abducted January 31 following which his parents had lodged a complaint with the police. However, locals accused the police of inaction in the case. They alleged that even though the child was kidnapped nine days ago, the police could not trace his whereabouts and rescue him.
Tension ran high in the village following the incident with scores of people trooping to the spot when news about recovery of the body spread. Kalia’s parents alleged their child was killed and his body dumped in the pond. In protest against the alleged negligence on the part of police, locals staged a demonstration by burning tyres on the lane and blocked the National Highway-215. The protesters raised slogans against the police for their alleged inaction.
On being informed, police rushed to the spot along with a forensic team and started an investigation into the incident. The body was later sent to the district headquarters hospital for post-mortem.
The sub-divisional police officer, local police station IIC and magistrate rushed to the spot to pacify the mob. The officials held talks with the agitating people and the bereaved family, who alleged that their child would not have been killed, had the police acted on their complaint.
Meanwhile, the police have detained three persons suspected to be linked to the incident.
Town police station IIC Subhransu Mishra said a case of murder has been registered. Mishra, however, said the police had searched for the child earlier. The accused would be arrested soon, he added.