Cuttack, Nov. 24: The headless body of a woman was found from an isolated place on the Kathajodi river embankment, just few metres away from the National Law University Odisha (NLUO) campus near Naraj today.

The identity of the woman, believed to be in the age group of 26 to 30, is yet to be ascertained by police.

It is also suspected that the criminals in a bid to mislead investigations have also disposed of the severed head of the woman at some other place as the missing body part was not found despite extensive searches conducted by the Cuttack Development Authority (CDA) Phase-I police station officials near the river embankment.

Cops said that a detailed probe would be conducted into the incident as there was a strong possibility that the goons could have committed the crime at some other place and threw the body near the river.

The process of identification is under way with the help of her personal belongings that include sandals and clothes of the victim.

Forensic experts also visited the spot to collect evidence, while the body has been sent for autopsy.

"We have sent alerts to nearby police stations in Athgarh, Baranga, Banki as well to provide information about missing women and girls in the past 20 days," said Pramod Rath, assistant commissioner of police.

He further said that so far no traces of sexual assault have been found, though things can be confirmed only after the post-mortem report of the deceased.

Local residents of Brajabiharipur said that the place from where the torso of the woman was found is not frequented by people. It is often used by farmers to graze their cattle.

"We had come to Naraj market to have tea at 9am when we came to know that a headless body was lying few metres away from the shop. When we rushed to the spot, we found stray dogs dragging flesh from the body," said Rajkishore Swain, a local resident.

Swain also said that there was a police beat house of CDA Phase II, some 300 metres away from the place where the body was recovered.

"Since the place from where the body has been found is on the outskirts of the city, there is usually less movement of people during night hours. As there is no human settlements around, the offenders might have chosen the spot for disposing of the body," said Dilip Singh, a resident of CDA Sector 11.

Three arrested

Udala police in Mayurbhanj today arrested three accused in the Udala double murder case. A tribal couple, identified as Jeetray Murmu and Belha Murmu, had been killed at Manikpur village on November 14.