Paradip, Nov. 1: Police yesterday arrested a 21-year-old for allegedly kidnapping and murdering his 14-year-old neighbour.

The victim, Tanmay Barman, had been missing since he left his Mushadia house on the outskirts of the port township around 11 am on October 26. The parents had lodged a complaint with the police after they failed to trace him.

Brajen Mandal, 21, who had allegedly kidnapped the teenager with the intention of extorting money from his parents, confessed to the crime, the police said. The police arrested him from Paradip yesterday.

The accused had picked up the teen from the locality after convincing him that they would go to Paradip and have food at a restaurant. The victim, who knew Mandal well, had agreed to his proposal. However, after kidnapping Barman, he failed to find a place to hide the boy. It was then that he decided to kill him.

Paradip additional superintendent of police Madhabanand Sahu said: "Mandal was forced to kill the boy as he could not find a suitable place to hide him. As the boy hailed from the same locality where he belonged, it was imminent that he would be caught. Setting the boy free was also a risky proposition, as he knew him well. So, he strangulated the boy to death and buried the body near Taladanda canal."

Barman's body was exhumed yesterday and handed over to his parents.

The accused was produced in court today. His bail plea was rejected and he was sent to jail, Sahu said.