Missing Woman Sarpanch Candidate’s Body Found

Paralakhemundi (Odisha): Semi-burnt body of a woman sarpanch candidate for the ensuing Panchayat polls was found near Chandragiri in Odisha's Gajapati district.

The body of Mini Dalabehera (31), who was missing since Thursday, was recovered near Sagada Hill yesterday and a probe has been launched into the incident, Superintendent of Police, Gajapati, Sushil Panigrahi. Her family had lodged a missing report after Mini, who had filed her nomination as a Congress candidate from Baghamari panchayat in Mohana block, became untraceable, the SP said. Preliminary inquiry showed that Mini was last seen near a bank at Chandragiri on Thursday evening by villagers.

However, when she did not return home her family searched for her and filed a missing report on Friday morning, said her family members, who demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to Mini's death. The body has been sent for post-mortem to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur and investigation is in progress, police said.

Security has been tightened in Baghamari and nearby areas after the incident as a precautionary measure.