Bhubaneswar: The body of a person was found floating in an open drain near the Puri Railway Station under Kumbharpada police limits, on Saturday morning.
Upon receiving the information, the Kumbharpada police rushed to the scene and recovered the body before sending the body to the District Headquarters Hospital for autopsy.
According to sources, the residents are speculating that the deceased might have consumed excessive alcohol from a nearby liquor shop and fallen into the drain, leading to his death. However, the identity of the deceased has not been revealed yet. The Circle Inspector visited the spot and began an investigation.
The exact circumstances surrounding the death will be known after the investigation, said sources.
This incident raises concerns about the safety of the open drains in Puri, especially when a few days are left for the Rath Yatra festival.
Despite administrative assurances to cover the drains, many remain uncovered, posing a risk to the public. This is not the first time such an incident has occurred, and the locals are demanding immediate action to cover the drains.