Unidentified Body Recovered Near Jhumuka Dam; Residents Blame Lack of Streetlights and Police Patrolling

BHUBANESWAR Fear and tension gripped the Kantabada area on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar following the recovery of an unidentified body from a road near the Jhumuka Dam late Sunday night.
According to locals, the body was spotted lying under mysterious circumstances on a stretch of road that plunges into complete darkness after sunset. Upon receiving information, local police arrived at the spot and recovered the body. In video footage from the scene, police personnel and local residents can be seen loading the body, wrapped in a black bag, into a Swarga Yatra hearse van (bearing registration number OD 02 CZ 4287) to transport it for a post-mortem examination.
Complete Lack of Basic Infrastructure
The incident has sparked severe resentment among locals, who have long complained about the complete lack of safety measures in the area. The road leading to Jhumuka Dam—a popular spot—reportedly has zero streetlighting, making it an ideal breeding ground for anti-social activities under the cover of darkness.
"It becomes pitch dark here after evening. There are no streetlights, and criminals take advantage of this isolation," said a local resident, requesting anonymity.
Residents Allege Lax Security
Furthermore, residents alleged a total failure of law enforcement, claiming that there is absolutely no police patrolling on this route, despite its growing vulnerability.
When approached for comments regarding the identity of the deceased, the cause of death, or whether foul play is suspected, the responding police officers refused to speak to the media. The tight-lipped stance of the police has further fueled anxiety among the local populace, who are demanding immediate night patrolling and the installation of streetlights to prevent such grim incidents in the future.
An investigation into the matter is underway, and police are currently trying to establish the identity of the deceased.