SHILLONG, DEC 19: A 27-year-old-youth, who is also the son of an Assam legislator and former minister died after he got drowned at Umngot River in West Jaintia hills district on Saturday. The incident took place at Shnongpdeng village under Amlarem Civil Sub-division when three sightseers went for rowing at the Umngot River, official sources said.
Rituraj Phukan, the son of Pranati Phukan, a former minister and presently a sitting Congress legislator died after he drowned when he went rowing at the river, they said.
“Phukan and two others had gone to the village yesterday evening and today morning at around 7 am, they went for sightseeing,” District Additional Deputy Commissioner DM Wahlang informed. He said on reaching the place, they requested the local boys to take them to the other side of the river on seeing that they were rowing a boat.
According to him, the water level in the upper reaches of the river was reportedly deeper.
“The deceased person reportedly stood up on the boat while the boat was still in the middle of the river. This led to the boat losing its balance and it capsized, bringing down all the occupants to the river,” Wallang said adding “Soon after the boat capsized.
He said, the boy who rowed the boat along with few villagers who were rowing in the river and who were on their way to the betel fields, got into action to rescue the three persons.
“Unfortunately they could rescue only two while Phukan drowned in the river,” he said.
He said that Phukan’s body was retrieved with the help of locals and police and was later taken to Dawki.
“We however have exempted conducting post-mortem considering the inquest report and based on family request,” Wahlang said while informing that his body was already taken to Guwahati.
Villagers however informed that usually rowing is not allowed in the river before 8 am and after sunset due to the heavy breeze that envelopes the river.-By Our Reporter
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