Early Friday morning the body of a middle aged man was found near the banks of the river sending the small riverside community into shock. The body attracted dozens of curious onlookers who for the most part stood in silence trying to figure out what might have happened.
According to eyewitnesses the first person to locate the floating body a few meters from the shore was a fisherman who had gone to cast his nets early into the morning. He immediately alerted the local authorities and people living nearby who rushed to the scene. Shortly after police officers arrived on location and cordoned off the area as investigations got underway.
Eyewitnesses described him as a man whom they occasionally saw in the area though few of them knew him by name. Some residents reported seeing him walking along the riverbank the previous evening but it is not clear what events led to his death.
According to police sources the body showed no visible signs of struggle or injury though they have not ruled out foul play. The body was retrieved later and taken to the local morgue for post mortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death.
The local leaders called on the residents to remain calm and let the investigators do their job. We understand the community’s concern but we must let the police handle the matter professionally said one village elder.
The discovery has raised questions about river safety especially for people dependent on fishing and other water activities in the river. Police have promised to increase patrols and have asked anyone with information about the identity of the deceased and the circumstances leading to his death to come forward as investigations continue.
By Newshub