NONGPOH, Aug 13: A serene outing turned into a tragedy on Saturday morning as a 21-year-old Pooja Sarkar lost her life in a drowning incident at Umtru river near Panitola Power House in Ri-Bhoi. Authorities were alerted by a distress call from the Fire and Emergency Service, Byrnihat Station, around 9:30 am. Subsequent investigations shed light on the harrowing events that had unfolded.
Pooja Sarkar, hailing from Guwahati, was on a picnic outing with her friends near the picturesque Umtru river. However, what should have been a day of relaxation and enjoyment turned into a heart-wrenching ordeal.
While attempting to bathe in the river, Sarkar tragically slipped and fell into the water. Her friends, witnessing the dire situation, rushed to her aid but were unable to locate her amidst the water’s depths.
Faced with the desperate situation, Sarkar’s friends quickly called for assistance. Responding promptly, the Fire and Emergency Service arrived at the scene and launched a concerted effort to retrieve her body from the river’s grasp.
After a strenuous search lasting over half an hour, they successfully recovered her body. In the wake of the tragedy, an inquest was conducted over Sarkar’s body to ascertain the circumstances surrounding her untimely demise. Consequently, the body was slated for a post-mortem examination to further determine the cause of death. However, an unexpected development emerged when the deceased’s grief-stricken father appeared at the outpost.
Appealing for an exemption from the post-mortem examination, Sarkar’s father expressed his wish to spare his family the emotional distress of the procedure. Despite being informed about the potential insights that a PM examination could provide, he steadfastly requested an exemption. This plea was accepted by the Additional District Magistrate of Ri-Bhoi, and the body was later handed over to the family members for the final rites.
