Daltonganj: Two superintendents of police, and equal number of DSPs and investigating officers from Garhwa and Palamau districts are probing the disappearance of a young social worker, Priya Kumari, who was last seen on August 20 in her hometown Garhwa.

In her 20s, Priya runs a social outfit called Dakchya Foundation, which asks children and girls to practise hygienic habits, and is well-known face in Garhwa town. On August 30, Palamau police found the decomposed body of a woman with skeletal remains and some shreds of clothes, which Priya's brother Pankaj Singh claimed to be that of his sister. But the police are not sure, saying only a DNA test at RIMS, Ranchi, could prove the identity.

Garhwa SP Shivani Tiwary said Priya Kumari left her father Suresh Singh's house at Ranka More in Garhwa town with a young girl around 5.20pm on August 20. "This girl had come to her house that evening. Priya Kumari told the family then that they (Priya and this girl) were going to Garhwa market. Priya did not return. Nor did the girl with whom Priya went out resurface before either Priya's family or before Garhwa police to proffer any information," she said.

Priya's father Suresh lodged a missing report with Garhwa police on August 23.

Garhwa SDPO Om Prakash Tiwary said Priya's cell phone was switched off.

He added, "Priya's father just mentioned a name 'Priyanka' with whom his daughter went out of the house around 5.20pm on August 20, allegedly to Garhwa market. There is no other information on this girl, including her father's name, her home address, any connection of hers with his daughter Priya, whether Priyanka visited his house first time on August 20 or was a frequent visitor."

A police officer who did not want to be named said the reason why they were not getting a breakthrough was because Priya's family was not sufficiently supportive.

Palamau SP Indrajeet Mahatha explained their district's role in the case.

"Priya's brother Pankaj claimed the decomposed body of the woman, found at Bardaiyya Ahra under Naugarha police outpost in Palamau on August 30, was hers. We can understand the brother's grief well. But as medico-legal aspects are involved we persuaded him to give the police time to establish the fact scientifically that these skeletal remains are of Priya Kumari."

He added as a DNA test would be needed, Priya's mother Munna Devi reached sadar hospital Daltonganj from Garhwa on September 7 to give her blood sample.

Both the district police chiefs claimed the case would be cracked but declined to set a time frame.

Anil Kumar is the investigating officer from Garhwa police while D.N. Rajak inspector is his counterpart from Palamau. Garhwa and Palamau SDPOs Om Prakash Tiwary and Surjeet Kumar are supervising the case.