Human skulls found under a bridge near Konark in Puri district on Sunday. Picture by Sarat Patra

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 23: Ramachandi police today seized more than 20 human skulls and some bones from under Liakhia bridge over Kushabhadra river near Konark.

Some animal skulls, flowers and pieces of cloth were also found at the spot raising suspicion about the practice of black magic. The discovery has sparked tension in the area.

The place being a tourist spot, local residents fear it may affect the flow of visitors to the area. Police have also seized the remnants of body parts. They will be sent for forensic tests.

“We have seized the skulls that would be sent to the laboratory for examination. Only a scientific report will make things clear,” said a senior official at Ramachandi police station.

An eyewitness said that till last night the place had no skulls and bones. These appeared suddenly in the morning. Flower garlands and two pieces of cloth, one black and the other white, were also found at the spot.

“When I saw the skulls here, I was awestruck. How did a human skulls land up here? The police have seized all these things but it has created fear among us. A few days ago the local police had arrested a black magic practitioner. We suspect someone related to him might have thrown these things here,” said Ranjan Behera, a local resident and eyewitness.

Assistant superintendent of police Jagannath Pradhan said they suspected some black magic practitioner of tantra might be involved in it as they were known to use human skulls for their rituals.

“We are inquiring into the matter. Though we don’t suspect any foul play, we are keeping a close watch on it. If we find anything wrong, steps will be taken accordingly,” said Pradhan.

Though Pradhan could not recollect whether any occult practitioner had been arrested in that area recently, officials of local police stations said that they were on the look out for people indulging in such acts.

The spot being close to Konark, the incident has created fear not only among the locals but also among tourists. More so because the development comes in the wake of an incident in Bhubaneswar in which the body parts of a man killed by his friends were found lying at several places on the city outskirts.