Severed legs of missing man discovered in Similipal Tiger Reserve of Odisha

BARIPADA: Severed legs of a man were discovered on Monday inside the Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. The incident sparked fear amongst the villagers as they allege that the man may have been killed in a tiger attack.Forest officials, however, stated that the exact cause of death is yet to be ascertained.The forest department informed that the deceased, Sadhu Naik, a resident of Basantpur village, was missing since Sunday, PTI reported.Villagers reportedly found Naik’s partial remains, including both legs, in a bushy area near Kumudabadi. STR deputy director Ramesh Kumar said that despite extensive search operations, the remaining body parts could not be located.“Preliminary observations have not yielded any conclusive evidence regarding the cause of death. As of now, no pugmarks or other field evidence have been found at the site to establish the involvement of any wild animal,” Kumar said in a statement.He added that samples and materials have been collected and further sent for laboratory analysis to ascertain the cause of death.Further investigation is currently underway, and necessary assistance is being provided to the bereaved family, the deputy director said.(With PTI inputs)