Kolkata, Dec 14 (NationPress) Tension has gripped sections of West Bengal's Birbhum district following the recovery of the body of a former Trinamool Congress booth president in Kankalitala, inciting protests from family members and local residents who suspect foul play.

The deceased has been identified as Madan Lohar, a former booth president from Dhalatikuri village within the Kankalitala Gram Panchayat area. Reports from police indicate that Lohar had been unaccounted for since Saturday evening, with his body discovered in a field in the Dhalatikuri area on Sunday morning.

Upon the body's discovery, local inhabitants congregated at the scene, obstructing police efforts to remove the body, alleging that Lohar had been murdered in a premeditated act. They are demanding a thorough and unbiased investigation, along with the prompt arrest of those accountable for his demise.

According to police sources, witnesses observed blood seeping from Lohar's ear, although there were no other apparent external wounds. The atmosphere grew increasingly tense as residents accused authorities of attempting to minimize the gravity of the situation.

After receiving notification, personnel from the Santiniketan police station hurried to the scene. However, their attempts to transport the body for a post-mortem examination were met with resistance from the deceased's family and villagers, who insisted that the body would not be moved without guarantees of a comprehensive investigation.

The protests persisted for several hours, characterized by raised slogans and temporary disruptions to local traffic.

In response, additional police forces were dispatched to prevent any escalation and maintain order.

Despite the opposition, police eventually succeeded in recovering the body in the afternoon and forwarded it for an autopsy.

"The body has been successfully retrieved and sent for post-mortem examination. The precise cause of death will be determined following the receipt of the report. Currently, the situation is under control," remarked a senior officer of the Birbhum district police.

Officials stated that all possible angles, including murder and other potential causes of death, would be explored. The post-mortem findings are anticipated to play a pivotal role in establishing whether Lohar's fatality was accidental or the result of criminal actions.