Sonepur: The family members of a CRPF jawan, whose body was recovered from close to the railway tracks at Lumding in Hojai district of Assam October 2, have alleged that he was murdered before the killers abandoned the body. The CRPF jawan, Pratap Kumar Naik, a resident of Majhipada village in Sonepur district, was attached to the 127th Battalion and posted at Nagaland. He was supposed to visit his home in Odisha for attending the death anniversary rituals of his deceased mother.
The CRPF authorities at Nagaland informed the family members about Naik’s death Thursday over phone, sources said.
His younger brother, Pradeep said Pratap boarded a train at Dimapur Railway Station October 1 and was scheduled to reached Bhubaneswar October 3.
“He (Pratap) spoke to his sister-in-law around 12.30 am October 1 and hung up saying he would call in the morning. When his sister-in-law called him the next morning, he did not respond,” informed Pradeep.
“We tried to contact him on his phone multiple times but no one answered the calls. He was scheduled to arrive at Bhubaneswar Railway Station on the morning of October 3 (Sunday). His brother-in-law went to the railway station Sunday to receive Pratap but did not find him,” added Pradeep.
Following this, a missing complaint was lodged with the Bhubaneswar Railway Protection Force (RPF) by family members of Pratap October 4 (Monday). They also informed his battalion at Nagaland about his disappearance.
However, Thursday, the CRPF officials called Pratap’s family members and sent them a photo for identification.
“They sent us the photo of a dead body for identification. It was my brother. When he spoke to his sister-in-law that night, he had told her that some dacoits were following him. My brother’s body was found October 2 while he boarded the train the previous night. The dacoits must have attacked him after he boarded the train. They looted his gold chain and rings and then dumped his body by the tracks after killing him,” alleged the younger brother of the deceased CRPF jawan.
“The Odisha government should order a proper investigation and take strict action against the accused,” demanded Pradeep.
The deceased’s body is on its way to Odisha even as the tragic news has traumatised the bereaved family.