Daijiworld Media Network - Palamu

Palamu, Sep 22: Palamu district in Jharkhand was shaken on Monday following the discovery of the body of Jaishankar Thakur, a prominent Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader. Found in an agricultural field near his native Utaki village, the circumstances surrounding his death have ignited widespread suspicion and unrest among locals and political circles alike.

Thakur, 52, who served as the Palamu district President of the RJD’s Backward Class Cell, went missing after leaving for his farmland early Monday morning. His family grew concerned when he did not return, prompting a search that ended with the grim discovery of his body about half a kilometer from the village. Visible burn marks and allegations that acid was used to partially burn the body have led his relatives and many villagers to suspect foul play.

Police arrived promptly and launched an investigation aided by a dog squad, but officials said the initial search yielded no conclusive evidence. The local Station House Officer, Shashi Shekhar Pandey, suggested that the death might have resulted from a lightning strike, though he acknowledged the final cause would be confirmed only after a post-mortem. This explanation was met with strong skepticism by villagers who noted that the weather had been clear, with no lightning activity reported that day.

News of Thakur’s death quickly spread, attracting large crowds from surrounding villages and prompting police to deploy additional forces to maintain order amid growing tension. The RJD leadership in Jharkhand expressed deep shock, describing the circumstances as suspicious and calling for a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident.

Thakur is survived by his wife and three sons, one of whom resides abroad. The family remains devastated, firmly asserting that his death was not natural but a murder, demanding justice for the veteran political figure. The incident has left the community anxious and vigilant as investigations continue.