A policeman posted outside the Tata Motors’ Singur factory was found dead near the factory on Thursday morning.

The cause of death is not apparent and the body has been sent for postmortem.

Police said that 50-year-old Bidhan Patra had joined duty on Wednesday. He was posted on the western side of the factory.

Patra was a resident Keshabgram in Khatra area of Bankura. It is, however, not clear whether he was on duty on Wednesday night.

In the morning, locals of Hora Kalimandir area saw his body lying beside a canal. There was no injury, but eyewitnesses said blood was oozing from his nose and ears.

The body was sent to Walsh hospital for postmortem.

“We cannot say whether it was a murder or natural death until the postmortem report arrives,” said Chandernagore Sub-Divisional Police Officer Amitava Maity.