Chaibasa (Jharkhand), February 18 Two people were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly strangling their friend to death in West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand three days ago, police said.
The two accused were apprehended from their residences in the Bhuiyansai village under the Hatgamariah Police Station limits, a senior officer said.
The arrests were made after the wife of the deceased, Vaishakhi Gwala, lodged a complaint, alleging that the two had beaten up her husband and strangled him to death early on February 15, he said.
The police recovered the body from a pond in Paramsai village under the jurisdiction of the Hatgamariah PS, the officer said.
A police team led by Sub-Divisional Police Officer (Jagannathpur) Raphael Murmu was formed at the direction of Superintendent of Police Amit Renu to investigate the death of Gwala.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the arrested persons had visited Gwala's home and taken him outside to celebrate the Maghe festival.
"They had consumed 'hadia' (a popular rice beer of the region) together and were heading towards Kalimati village to celebrate the festival. On the way, Gwala slapped one of the accused while intoxicated, and he retaliated. The two accused strangled him to death. They then dumped the body in a pond," the officer said.
Further investigation is underway, he added.