Berhampur, Dec. 27: Police have confirmed the killing of three youths, including a criminal Pradip Sethi, 30. The deceased, all residents of Padmanavpur village under Digapahandi police station limits in Ganjam district, had been missing for three days.

"We found ashes and bones of the three from near Gothakeli tribal village, about 50 metres from the main gate of Lakhari Wildlife Sanctuary in Gajapati district under Mohana police station limits yesterday," said Gajapati police superintendent Satyajit Naik.

"We have sent samples of the ash and other articles seized from the spot to the State Forensic Laboratory in Bhubaneswar," said Naik.

The family members have identified the bodies of Jagannath Reddy, 25, and Nandesu Reddy, 28, the two other deceased persons, from the brass and silver ornaments they were wearing, he said.

The three had gone missing from Padmanavpur village on December 23 and the police swung into action after Pramila, the sister of Pradip, lodged a police complaint the same day.

"Lochan Behera and Kailash Behera of Gothakeli village called my brother on the phone and the three left the house on a motorcycle and did not return," said Pramila.

Mohana police registered a case and are investigating the kidnap and murder, said inspector in-charge of Mohana police station Prasant Bhupati.

"We suspect that more kerosene than firewood was used to burn the bodies. They were probably attacked with batons and killed. Then the bodies were burnt," he said.

Senior police officials visited the spot with a scientific team and a dog squad. The investigation was delayed because all the male members of Gothakeli village have fled.

Pradip Sethi was a notorious criminal. Ten cases had been lodged against him at Digapahandi, Patapur, Berhampur Sadara and K Nuagaon police stations. He was an accused in the murder of Srinibash Rath, a local BJD leader and former sarpanch of Maulabhnaja on March 9, 2012, police said.