The 35-year-old chemistry laboratory assistant of Pakshikha Central School in Chukha was found dead about three kilometres away from his house in a forest locally known as Okshama in Pakshikha village.

The man went missing since the afternoon of December 28.

The officer-in-charge (OC) of Gedu police said that following the report to police on January 1, a search team comprising of police, army, villagers and school officials went in search of the man.

He said that the villagers found the body on January 4 and informed the police.

The OC said that it appears the man had walked along the road for about two kilometres after which he walked another kilometre into the forest. “Police and a medical expert team went to the site. The team ruled out foul play.”

Sources from Pagshikha said that the laboratory assistant lived alone at the school while his wife lives in Logchina.

Police say the body of the deceased was handed over to his relatives on January 4.

Staff reporter