Jajpur, Aug. 13: The decomposed body of an unidentified woman, aged about 45 years, was found today floating in a pond near the irrigation office at Jaraka bazaar in the district.

Local people and some pedestrians who were passing by the pond, which is a part of a laterite stone quarry unit, noticed the body after foul smell began to spread in the locality.

“Like every day, I was taking a walk to the industrial area, along with other friends. When we reached near the irrigation office, we got a foul smell coming out from the nearby laterite stone quarry pond. When we reached the spot, we found the decomposed body of a woman floating in the quarry pond water,” said Kasinath Sahu of Jaraka bazaar.

On being informed about the incident, Dharmasala police rushed to the spot and began investigation. A little later, the police informed the fire brigade at Chandikhole. The fire brigade officials fished out the body from the pond.

“The body of the woman was decomposed. She was about 45 years old. The deceased wore a cotton printed sari and yellow blouse. The woman is yet to be identified,” said investigating officer P. Tudu.

The police suspected that the woman had slipped into the laterite quarry pond and drowned.

“We suspect prima facie that the woman had slipped into the quarry pond and drowned. But, the exact nature of death cannot be confirmed till the post-mortem report comes,” he said.

Besides, the police are also looking for other possibilities as to whether the woman drowned to death or someone had killed her elsewhere and then thrown her body into the pond.

“We are investigating the case from every angle,” said the investigating officer.