WILLIAMNAGAR, June 28: A 15-year-old boy from the village of Nengkhra, about 15 kms from the town of Williamnagar in East Garo Hills, drowned on Wednesday morning while fishing with his friends in Rongtam River in the village.
The incident apparently occurred at about 7 am when the boy and his friends had gone fishing in the river, which had turned turbulent due to the overnight rains in the entire Garo Hills.
The boy, immediately after falling in the river, was swept away by the river current.
Following the incident, search and rescue teams (F&ES and SRT) from Rongjeng, Nongalbibra, Williamnagar and Tura rushed to the spot to conduct a search for the boy.
His body was later retrieved this afternoon a little downstream.
Meanwhile, the body of the deceased, who was from Watregittim locality of Nengkhra, was later handed over to his family after completion of legal formalities.
The matter is currently under investigation.
Meanwhile, East Garo Hills Superintendent of Police Siddharth Ambedkar has cautioned people against visiting water bodies, especially amid the downpour.
“Due to incessant rains, water level in the rivers and water bodies has gone up in the district. We appeal to all that to prevent such incidents, not to send children (minors) unattended to water bodies for fishing or swimming. Special care should be taken with persons having epileptic history,” he said.
