Silchar: A 16-year-old youth, who was found dead in a building at Panchayat Road here on Tuesday, died of a drug overdose, Cachar superintendent of police Rakesh Roushan said on Wednesday.

Debraj Roy, son of Gopal and Babita Roy, was a resident of Radhamadhab Road here. His body was recovered from the third floor of a building at Panchayat Road here on Tuesday afternoon.

Roushan said over phone that another youth, Nihal Singha, was picked up for interrogation on Tuesday night and he confirmed the incident.

"During interrogation, Nihal confessed that he and Debraj, along with a few others, were taking drugs in that building. Debraj fainted after taking drugs and they gave him lemon water to help him regain consciousness. But his condition started worsening. The other boys, including Nihal, subsequently fled," Roushan said.

An investigation is on and different aspects related to the case are being analysed. The autopsy report will be available on Thursday, he said.

Debraj's family members said he went out on Sunday afternoon after taking Rs 400 from his father to get his mobile phone fixed in a repair shop. When he did not return till the evening, the tried to call him several times but the calls went unanswered.

Debraj's phone was found switched off later that night. On Monday morning, a missing complaint was lodged by the family members after they failed to trace him.

Sources said a maid, who went to the building's third floor on Tuesday afternoon, saw Debraj's body, which had turned bluish. But it did not bear any injury marks. Some blood stains were found on the spot. Eventually, the news spread and a police team reached the spot after which the body was sent to Silchar Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem.

The owner of the building is Samsul Islam Laskar, who hails from Banskandi in Cachar district. He will be questioned soon, police sources said.

Some students, who stay in the building on rent, said there was a foul smell in the building since Monday evening but they had no idea about the body.

Local residents alleged that the area had become a haven of drug addicts, especially after sundown. Noises of youths shouting in an inebriated condition often come from the building at night, they said. They demanded the case be investigated thoroughly and action be taken against those involved. They stressed the police should take strict measures to curb sale of drugs to youths.