Bhubaneswar, June 12: The body of a minor tied to an electric pole was today recovered from Kargil Road, 1km from Naveen Nivas, chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s residence.

Police suspect that the 10-year-old boy, who is yet to be identified, has been murdered.

Local residents spotted the body this morning and informed Airfield police station. The boy was tied with a towel. While his pant was thrown on the ground, he was wearing a blue T-shirt. His sandal was lying on the ground. The police suspected that the boy might have been strangulated to death and later tied with the pole.

Later, the police sent the body for post-mortem. “The death might have taken place last night. We have sent his photographs to all police stations in the city to ascertain his identity,” said inspector in charge of Airfield police station Rashmi Ranjan Sahu.

Though the Naveen Nivas is highly fortified round the clock, criminals have been striking frequently at Pallaspalli, which is around 500 metres from the chief minister’s residence.

On November 30, two bike-borne criminals robbed the kin of a builder of Rs 36 lakh at Pallaspalli falling under the Airfield police station limits.

The residents blame poor police patrolling for the spurt in petty crimes such as snatching and burglary. “It has become unsafe to travel in the area during late night. The slum near the airport has become a den of criminals and a number of drunkards can be spotted roaming in the area during night hours,” said Pallaspalli resident Abhilash Pati.

Besides, the area near the domestic airport terminal has also witnessed a spurt in petty crimes. On October 30, an autorickshaw driver allegedly drugged a 35-year-old woman from Vishakhapatnam and molested her near the airport.

“The police are only concerned about the chief minister’s security. However, they are least bothered about other areas, which have been witnessing a spurt in crimes. The police should intensify the night patrolling,” said local resident Devi Prasad Samal.