HT Bureau
DIPHU, May 11: The body of a youth was recovered on Monday by divers of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) from the Siloni River in Karbi Anglong. The report of a youth missing in the river was received by the SDRF around 2 PM on Sunday, but as night fell the search was called off and resumed on Monday, leading to the recovery of the body.
According to reports, Ritish Bora (19), a resident of Haldiati, Bakulia in Karbi Anglong district, had come to the Siloni picnic spot yesterday along with four family members and one friend. The group of six arrived at the spot around 1 PM by auto-rickshaw.
Soon after reaching the area, Ritish and his friend reportedly went towards a dangerous point of the Siloni River. During the incident, Ritish Bora was swept away by the strong current and drowned, while his friend narrowly managed to save himself. The remaining four family members were safe.
The Siloni picnic spot, located about 40 km from Diphu is run by the Forest Department and is popular among residents of Karbi Anglong, neighbouring districts, and the state of Nagaland.
As per an SDRF jawan in the rescue team, the body was found away from the spot where the youth went under, beside a boulder on the riverbed and almost buried under sand.
The section of the river where the youth drowned is unusually deep, up to 25 feet, with strong current. The area has a warning sign reading “Danger Spot, Avoid, Closed Spot” written on a stone jutting from the river, but people continue to enter despite warnings.
Every year, one or two youths reportedly drown in the river by ignoring safety notices at the spot.






