Two Korba power plant workers found dead in forest area

The bodies of two friends, employed as contract workers at the Balco power plant, were recovered from a single noose in the Belakachhar forest on Thursday.

 In a chilling discovery that has sent shockwaves through the Belakachhar village in Chhattisgarh’s Korba district, the bodies of two young men were found hanging from a tree on Thursday morning. The deceased, identified as Pramod Kanwar (27) and Amit Mathur (28), were residents of the same village and worked as contract labourers at the Balco power plant.

According to officials, the duo had left their respective homes on Wednesday afternoon, informing family members that they were heading out for a stroll. When they failed to return by late evening, anxious relatives attempted to contact them via mobile phones, which remained unreachable. A search was launched by the families throughout the night, but no clues were found until villagers heading into the forest spotted the bodies at daybreak.

Initial discovery by villagers

The grim scene was discovered by locals who were on their way to the forest for morning chores. They immediately alerted the Balco police station. Upon arrival, the police noted that both men were hanging from the same piece of cloth tied to a tree branch.

Identity of the deceased

The victims were confirmed to be married men and local inhabitants. Preliminary inquiries suggest that neither Pramod nor Amit had reported for work at the power plant for the last few days. The sudden absence from their professional duties is now a key point of the police investigation.

Police launch detailed probe

A forensic team was called to the site to collect evidence. While the primary appearance suggests a suicide pact, the Balco police have not ruled out foul play. “We are looking at both suicide and murder angles,” a senior police official stated. The bodies have been sent for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause and time of death.

Family members in shock

The families of the two men remain inconsolable. According to Amit's kin, Pramod had reached Amit’s house around 1:00 PM on Wednesday, after which they left together. There were no immediate signs of distress or conflict reported by the families prior to the incident.

Similar past incidents noted

This incident has drawn parallels to a case reported in Raigarh district on March 10, where two friends were found hanging from a single sari following a birthday celebration. In that case, as well, the motive remained shrouded in mystery, raising concerns over such patterns in the region.

Next steps in investigation

The Balco police have registered a case under accidental death reports (Marg) for now. Statements from colleagues at the Balco power plant and mobile call records are being scrutinized to piece together the final hours of the victims. Authorities are awaiting the autopsy report to steer the direction of the ongoing India News Update.