By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 29: On the journey to his destination after securing a hospitality job, 26-year-old Jonathan Rynjah from Mawlai Nongkwar Block-1 was tragically found lying dead in a toilet at a railway station in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
His grieving parents were informed of the tragedy after receiving a call from Kerala police on Friday morning. They now face the painful dilemma of bringing their son’s body home, as they lack the financial means to do so.
Speaking to reporters at the Mawlai police station on Friday night, Jonathan’s father, Rakesh Shabong, said the family could not fully understand the circumstances of their son’s death due to communication barriers with the Kerala police.
He recalled that Jonathan had left for Kerala on August 26 after securing a hotel job in Thiruvananthapuram through the help of a former colleague. Jonathan had previously worked in Kerala but was forced to return to Shillong during the Covid-19 lockdown.
“Recently, he told us he would return to Kerala to look for work again,” Rakesh said. The father further revealed that the last call he received from Jonathan was on the morning of August 27, when his son informed him that he had boarded a train from Guwahati. Since then, the family had been unable to contact him despite repeated attempts.
The distraught father said it was impossible for the family to travel on their own to Kerala to claim the body, appealing to authorities, public representatives, and the state government for urgent assistance.
“We are helpless. We do not have the financial resources to bring back his body,” he said.
The parents have also sought help from the Rangbah Shnong of Nongkwar, Moon Rumnong, who has assured some support to the family.
Meanwhile, Mawlai police remain in touch with their counterparts in Kerala to gather more details about the circumstances surrounding Jonathan’s death.
