Shillong: A two-day search for 23-year-old Lateilang Ryngnga ended Friday evening. His body was pulled from Wah Rew at Tharia. The young man worked as a boatman for tourists. He vanished on August 19 when his vessel flipped in turbulent water around noon.
Fishermen from Nongjri spotted the body floating at 5:30 pm on August 21 and raised the alarm. A team from the State Disaster Response Force, led by Sub-Inspector Donkupar Diengngan, arrived to retrieve him. They worked alongside police from Bholaganj Outpost and local residents. The team had spent days scouring the river with hooks, harpoons, and a RIB with an OBM.
The victim was not wearing a life jacket when the boat overturned. Three tourists aboard did have safety gear and reached calmer water. Two other boatmen, Bantei Khongsit and Bantylli Tangdhara, managed to pull those tourists to safety. The SDRF launched their mission on August 20 after getting word from the East Khasi Hills District Disaster Management Authority.
The Sohra Civil Sub-Divisional Magistrate granted the family a waiver on the post-mortem exam. Kynphamsing Tangdhara, the Rangbah Shnong of Komorah Tharia, called the death a "deeply unfortunate loss." The family has since received the body for last rites.
Comments