The worker Magu did not return from work by seven last night, following which his relatives and co-workers launched a search for him. His decapitated body was found early this morning and forest officials and police were informed of it, they said.
Pug marks in a slushy area at the site and teeth marks on Magu's neck indicated that he was attacked by a tiger, police said.
Agitated locals blamed forest officials for not finding a permanent solution to the tiger problem in the area, saying a woman was mauled to death by a tiger some six months ago in the same area. The tiger was later shot dead.
Meanwhile, 14 cameras and four cages have been installed
at strategic locations to capture the tiger's movements and trap it, police said.
Three teams, comprising police, forest officials and special task force, are searching for the animal.