By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 9: The bodies of three persons, including a woman, were recovered from a portion of the under-construction Institute of Science and Bio Resource (ISBR) at Umsawli, New Shillong Township on Sunday evening.
The deceased were identified as Sheba Kharbani (40), Rupert Donbor Dohtdong (43) and Backstar Kharkrang (30). All three victims were residents of Mawlai Phudmuri.
Sheba and Rupert were working as cleaners while Backstar was working as chowkidar. The female’s body was recovered from one room while the other two bodies were found in the adjoining room.
The incident came to light when the contractor engaged with the project contacted Mawdiangdiang police outpost at around 5.30pm to report that foul smell was emanating from the three rooms on the first floor of the building.
Police said they had to break open the door in the presence of the headman and eyewitnesses as the room was locked from the inside.
Police ascertained that two of the deceased had gone to collect mushrooms from the adjoining forest on Thursday and the three could have died from mushroom poisoning. Police found a pot containing cooked mushroom from one of the rooms.
The crime scene unit along with the forensic team examined the spot along with Sector Officer Jyoti Wahlang. The bodies have been shifted to NEIGRIHMS for post-mortem.
Police have registered a case of unnatural death.