On the evening of April 14, 2025, a grim discovery was made in the Kathajodi River near the Naraj Barrage, which is within the jurisdiction of the Godisahi police outpost in Barang, Odisha.
Local fishermen spotted an unidentified man’s body floating near the barrage gate and promptly alerted authorities. The Barang police, alongside the Phase-2 police station and the Barang Fire Brigade, responded to the call, initiating a swift recovery operation.
According to reports, the fishermen noticed the body around dusk and informed both police stations and the fire brigade. Led by Fire Officer Bhimsen Lenka, a seven-member fire brigade team arrived at the scene and successfully retrieved the body from the river. The deceased, believed to be a young man, was dressed in a white shirt and black trousers. Preliminary observations suggest that the individual may have been deceased for two to three days, though the exact cause and time of death remain under investigation.
Given the location of the body near the Naraj Barrage, which lies between the jurisdictions of Barang and Phase-2 police stations, the Phase-2 police have taken charge of the case. They have registered it as an unnatural death and seized the body for further examination. The body has been sent to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for a post-mortem to ascertain the cause of death. Authorities are working to identify the individual and determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
Locals commended the Barang police and fire brigade’s coordinated efforts and noted the efficiency of the response. However, the incident has raised concerns among residents about safety along the riverbanks, particularly in areas frequented by fishermen and visitors. The police have urged anyone with information about a missing person matching the description to come forward to assist in the investigation.
As the inquiry progresses, the community awaits answers about the identity of the deceased and the events leading to his death.
