Jajpur: A young couple was found hanging from a banyan tree at a village in Dasarathpur area of Odisha’s Jajpur district on Wednesday.
Sources said locals spotted the two hanging near Nauo Mania sluice gate in Mahantipatna village under Dasarathpur block of the district.
The deceased have been identified as Samir Das (25), son of Manguli Das of Ishwarpur village under Shushua panchayat, and Surekha Mallick (22), daughter of Rabindra Mallick of Mahantipatna village.
The bodies were found hanging from the tree with dupatta tied around their necks. There were indications that the two may have performed some form of marriage as the woman was seen wearing sindoor, a mangalsutra, bangles and alta on her feet. Alta and sindoor could also be seen on the young man’s hands.
Locals said Samir was working at a plywood company in Kerala and had returned home a few days ago. He had reportedly left home on Tuesday evening and did not return.
Villagers claimed that the couple had been in a relationship for a long time. However, the girl’s family members were allegedly opposed to their marriage. It is also being alleged that Surekha had recently left her home and gone to Samir’s house, but her family later convinced her to return.
Locals suspect that the family’s opposition to their relationship and marriage may have driven the couple to take the drastic step.
A police team visited the site and launched an investigation into the incident.
