SHILLONG, June 16: The sudden and “mysterious” death of a young Hajong couple has deeply shaken their colleagues and friends in Lumsohphoh, Nongthymmai, leaving many struggling to make sense of the loss.
Twenty-one-year-old Simanta Hajong and 22-year-old Prinomi Hajong, who were in a loving relationship, were found dead inside a roadside shed on Sunday morning. Their bodies were discovered in a sitting position, prompting police to investigate the possibility of partial hanging.
The news came as a profound shock to those who worked alongside them. Prinomi worked as an assistant bartender at Alaya Cafe & Bar in Lumsohphoh, while Simanta was employed at Lites n Décor in Nongthymmai. Both establishments are run by the same owner.
Colleagues described the pair as dedicated, hardworking, and always cheerful at work. Many insisted that in the days leading up to the incident, neither showed any visible signs of depression, distress, or relationship troubles. “They were completely normal,” one colleague shared. “They carried out their duties with the same dedication as always. There was nothing unusual in their behaviour.”
Their relationship was open and well-known among co-workers. Simanta would often drop by the café to see Prinomi, and everyone who knew them spoke of a relationship that appeared caring and free of conflict.
On Saturday night, Prinomi was captured on CCTV leaving the café alone around 12:34 am, shortly after closing. Other staff were still inside, changing and wrapping up for the day. Simanta, meanwhile, had left his workplace around 8 pm after completing his duties as usual. Colleagues recalled that he seemed his regular self — calm and content.
Both were staying in separate accommodations provided by their employer, with Prinomi’s lodging being closer to the employer’s residence.
What has added to the sorrow and mystery is that the couple was found barely 50 metres from the places where they worked and built their daily lives.
As co-workers mourn the loss of two young lives full of promise, they are left wondering what unseen struggles may have gone unnoticed.
