Tension gripped the Mango area of Jamshedpur on Thursday after the body of a young man was recovered from the Subernarekha river. The incident triggered immediate public outrage, leading to a road blockade and a protest outside the local police station.
Body Recovered, Family Files FIR
The deceased has been identified as 24-year-old Pradeep Sahu, a resident of Shyam Nagar in Mango. Sahu had been missing since November 29. Early on Thursday morning, locals spotted his body floating in the river near the Chhath ghat area and subsequently fished it out.
Upon receiving the alert, officials from the Ulidih police station arrived at the scene and took possession of the body. It was then sent to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College and Hospital (MMGH) for a postmortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. The grieving family members of Pradeep Sahu lodged a formal First Information Report (FIR) against three individuals from the locality.
Public Anger Erupts in Road Blockade
Frustrated by what they perceive as a deteriorating law and order situation, angry residents took to the streets. They blocked the busy Mango-Ulidih road, bringing traffic to a standstill. The protestors then proceeded to gherao the Ulidih police station, demanding swift action and justice for the victim.
The road blockade was eventually lifted after police officials assured the crowd of prompt and decisive action in the case. The three accused named in the FIR were detained by the police for questioning later in the day.
Locals Point to Security Lapses
Speaking about the incident, a local resident, Ragini Kumari, voiced a common concern in the area. She alleged that a lack of consistent police patrolling, especially in the low-lying areas near the riverbank, has turned spots like the Chhath ghat in Shyam Nagar into havens for anti-social elements. "The banks of the Subernarekha, namely the Chhath ghat area in Shyam Nagar, has become the den of drug addicts and criminal elements due to the lack of police patrolling," Kumari stated.
Police Cite Personal Enmity, Probe On
Providing preliminary details, Ulidih police station in-charge Deepak Kumar Thakur confirmed the nature of the crime. "The accused was killed using a knife. The reason behind the murder could be personal enmity," Thakur said. He emphasized that a thorough investigation into the incident has been initiated to uncover all the facts and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The recovery of the body and the subsequent protests have highlighted ongoing concerns about safety and security in certain parts of the industrial city. The police's assurance of a probe and their quick detention of suspects are steps being watched closely by the agitated community seeking closure.
