The death of an 18-year-old boy from a village in Murbad and a mysterious note found in his pocket has triggered fears of a psychotic killer on the loose in Murbad. Villagers are living in fear as the note has warned of five more deaths, and the police has stepped up patrolling in the village.
The deceased, Ashok Thakre (18), was a first year student with the ITI University in Murbad. He was found dead in an open ground near his residence in the Koltan village on Wednesday with cuts on both his arms and ligature marks around his throat.
The pocket of Ashok’s trousers contained a single page note, which read, “Villagers, wake up at least now. Fulfill my demands or else five others will die as well. This boy tried to make noise but I silenced him. I made him write this note before killing him. I had warned him beforehand that I would kill him. But the others too will die without warning.”
The cryptic note, however, does not mention any demands that the killer wants fulfilled. The incident has sparked off widespread panic in Koltan as well as nearby villages, with theories ranging from a psychotic killer targeting villagers to a black magician sacrificing young men.
The case got even murkier, however, as the cuts on Ashok’s hands were found to be suspiciously symmetrical, with prima facie examination suggesting that they might be self-inflicted.
Surprisingly, the Murbad police has only registered an accidental death report. “We have not registered a complaint of murder as we aren’t yet sure if we are dealing with a killer,” said A.L. Varlikar, senior police inspector, Murbad police.
Mr Varlikar confirmed, however, that the police was taking precautions. “Patrolling has been increased in the village to prevent any untoward incidents,” he said.