The bodies were recovered near National Highway 37 at Betbari Dichang Majgaon and identified as those of 21-year-old Abhya Hazarika of Baliyaghat and 23-year-old Manas Das.

The Scheduled Caste Students' Union of Sivasagar district has demanded that those responsible, if foul play is established, be identified and brought to justice.

According to information available, Das and Hazarika had travelled on a motorcycle on Friday to Dhekiakhowa Bor Namghar.

Police reached the spot after the bodies were recovered and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

The discovery of the second body, however, altered the initial understanding of the case, according to Paresh Das, a member of the Scheduled Caste Students' Union.

“When Abhoy Hazarika's dead body was found, it was a different scenario.

We thought that three of his friends had gone with him to Dhekiakhowa Namghor and suspected that they might have played a part in his death.

But after the recovery of the second body, the entire case needs to be investigated from a different angle,” he said.

Das said the organisation had also learnt that Manas Das was allegedly in a relationship with a woman from the area and urged investigators to examine all possible angles.

Following the recovery of the bodies, members of the students' union and local residents staged a road blockade, demanding swift action against those responsible.

The protesters gave the Sivasagar district administration and police 24 hours to crack the case and take action.

“We condemn this and give the Sivasagar district authorities 24 hours,” Das said, adding that the administration had assured the protesters of a proper investigation and action within the stipulated period.

Following the assurance from the police and district administration, the protesters temporarily withdrew the blockade. The recovery of two bodies from the same drain has fuelled speculation about a possible connection between the deaths, although police are yet to establish the circumstances or determine whether any foul play was involved.