The body of an elderly man was recovered floating in a pond near the Bot Toli Dargah area under Melaghar police station on Thursday, creating panic among local residents.

The deceased has been identified as Kharindra Noatia (85), a resident of Chandul area under Chundul Gram Panchayat, Kanipathar Ward No. 5. According to family members, Kharindra Noatia had gone with his family on Tuesday night to attend the Poush Sankranti fair at Sonamura Bot Toli. The family stayed together until around midnight, but after that time he went missing.

Despite extensive searching by relatives, he could not be traced. Subsequently, a missing complaint was lodged at Sonamura Police Station.

On Thursday, his body was found floating in a large pond near Nyangta Dargah, adjacent to the Melaghar–Sonamura main road. A local person first noticed the body, and soon a large crowd gathered at the spot. The incident was immediately reported to the Melaghar Fire Service.

Fire service personnel rushed to the scene, recovered the body from the pond, and shifted it to Melaghar Hospital.

Police from Melaghar Police Station have taken up the investigation to determine the exact cause of death and to ascertain whether there is any mystery surrounding the incident. Further details are awaited pending the police inquiry.