Siliguri, 19 May (H.S.): Panic gripped the Hanskhoa Bandijote area of Bagdogra after a mutilated body was recovered from a drain inside a private tea garden on Tuesday morning.

According to local sources, three youths had gone to the drain area to collect mushrooms when they spotted the body and immediately informed the tea garden owner, who later alerted the police.

Following the information, a team from Bagdogra Police Station along with forest department officials reached the spot and recovered the body.

Residents of the area claimed that the body appeared to be around six to seven days old and was in a highly decomposed state. Police sources said the head, hands and legs of the deceased were missing, raising strong suspicion of murder and an attempt to destroy evidence.

The body has been sent to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem examination. Police have started a detailed investigation and are trying to determine the identity of the deceased as well as whether the case is linked to murder or any other criminal activity.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey