Gopalganj/Patna: Family members and villagers in Thawe, Gopalganj district, set fire to the body of a missing student outside the residence of a person accused of her murder on Thursday morning, triggering tension in the village and prompting the deployment of a large police contingent.
The incident took place around 7.30am, approximately two hours after the police handed over the body to the family following a post-mortem examination at around 5.30am. The relatives and villagers reportedly placed the body on a pile of wood near the main entrance of the accused’s house and set it on fire. The body is reported to have burned for around two and a half hours.
Police personnel were present at the scene during the incident. Officers subsequently increased security in the village to prevent the situation from escalating.
Student went missing on October 12
According to the family, Sanjana had gone to the cattle shed (bathan) on October 12 to feed the livestock. While she was there, an elderly woman from a neighbouring household allegedly asked her to deliver some soap. Sanjana did not return home afterwards.
Following her disappearance, Sanjana’s uncle lodged a first information report (FIR) at Thawe police station.
On Wednesday, a body was reportedly found behind an old house in the village. The discovery caused an uproar among residents, and the police were informed. Officers took possession of the body and intensified the investigation.
Family alleges murder
The family has alleged that Sanjana was murdered. Deep injury marks were reportedly found on her head and neck, raising questions about the circumstances of her death.
The police conducted a post-mortem examination before handing the body over to the family. The findings of the post-mortem report are awaited, and the cause of death has not yet been officially confirmed.
Heavy police deployment amid tension
Several police officials were present at the scene, including Circle Inspector Dharmveer Prasad, Thawe station house officer Vibha Kumari, Uchkagaon SHO Ashutosh Kumar Jha, TOP in-charge Dheeraj Kumar, Subhash Kumar, and assistant sub-inspectors Neeraj Kumar Pandey and Mukesh Kumar.
The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding Sanjana’s death and have deployed additional personnel to maintain law and order in the village. Further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.
