Bhubaneswar, Oct 22: The bodies of a young couple, who had been missing for five days, were recovered from a tree atop Bhana Dangri hill near Behera village under Koksara police station in Odisha’s Kalahandi district on Thursday, triggering tension in the area.

The deceased were identified as Ajit Kumar Naik, son of Prahlad Naik of Tendapali village under Koksara police limits, and Priyadarsini Naik of Kendumudipada in Dharmagarh town.

According to reports, the two were in a relationship, but their families reportedly opposed their marriage because they belonged to different castes. Both had been missing since the night of October 17. Their families subsequently lodged missing-person complaints at Koksara and Dharmagarh police stations.

The bodies were discovered on Thursday morning by people who had gone into the forest to collect firewood. Family members later reached the spot and identified the deceased. The bodies were reportedly in a decomposed condition.

Locals raised suspicions of foul play, alleging that blood stains were visible on the bodies and both victims’ hands were tied behind their backs.

Police personnel from Koksara and Dharmagarh reached the spot, recovered the bodies and initiated an investigation. Police said the circumstances surrounding the deaths remain unclear and the exact cause will be established after further investigation.

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