8th IRB Havildar Found Hanging From Tree in Odisha’s Ganjam District

Berhampur: A havildar of the 8th India Reserve Battalion (IRB) allegedly died by suicide in Odisha’s Ganjam district, police said on Wednesday.

The deceased has been identified as Debasish Behera, a resident of Chandraput village under Balugaon police limits. He was serving with the 8th IRB Battalion posted in the Belaguntha area.

According to police sources, locals found Behera’s body hanging from a tree near a roadside at Kurulei village and alerted the authorities. Police reached the spot, recovered the body and sent it to Bhanjanagar hospital for post-mortem examination.

After the autopsy, the body was brought to the battalion headquarters, where fellow personnel paid their final respects with full honours.

Preliminary investigation indicates that Behera may have been under mental stress due to mounting debt. However, officials said the exact reason behind the incident is yet to be determined.

Police have launched a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the havildar’s death.

The incident has left the locality and the 8th IRB Battalion personnel in deep shock and grief.