Bhadrak: Tension prevailed after the body of a missing man reached the village from Cuttack SCB Medical College and Hospital today morning following which the agitated locals gheraoed the forest office alleging custodial death.
The incident took place under Podadiha forest range in Udala.
Reports said that the deceased man, identified as Gajendra Nayak, was missing for the last few days after he had been to Similipal forest with some fellow villagers. Yesterday the family members were intimated about his illness and he was being treated at Udala hospital. As his condition deteriorated, he was first referred to Baripada hospital and was ultimately shifted to Cuttack SCB where he succumbed to his treatment yesterday.
Soon after his body reached the village, it sparked tension among the kin as well as the locals. They placed the body before the local forest office and resorted to agitation demanding action against the erring forest officials for having allegedly tortured Gajendra physically branding him a poacher.
