The remains of Hembram’s mangled body were discovered from a ditch near an ancient temple in the forest which acts as a corridor between Birbhum and Burdwan districts. The body bore burnt marks and there were bullet marks on his chest and temple as well as injuries to other parts of the body. His feet had been chopped off, said police.

Apart from the local police, officers from Dubrajpur and Ilambazar police stations in Birbhum and Kanksa police station in Burdwan also rushed to the spot where the body was found.

Dubrajpur OC Kartik Ghosh said there had been frequent clashes between the CPM and the Trinamool Congress supporters in the area. “On January 21, the two parties clashed and Hembram went missing. The family lodged a complaint with the police the next day,” he added. Kanksa OC Tirthendu Ganguly did not rule out the possibility of a Maoist hand behind the killing.

Zonal CPM leader of Dubrajpur, Sadhan Ghosh, however, blamed local Trinamool supporters and leaders for Hembram’s death. “Trinamool supporters abducted and killed him,” he said.