Shillong, June 16: A boatman-cum-tour guide was feared drowned in Umngot river at Dawki after he fell into the water while ferrying tourists on Monday.
Emil Surong, aged around 30 years, was on a routine boat ride with three female tourists when he suddenly fell ill and collapsed into the river.
“He was ferrying tourists as usual when he suddenly became sick and fell into the river. Since then, he hasn’t been seen,” said Kelvinel Khonglah, president of the Village Defence Party (VDP) Dawki.
He informed that police with the help of local people launched a search operation at the spot, but to no avail till filing of this report.
However, murky water of the river due to rains led to zero visibility and it has hampered the rescue efforts, Khonglah said.
Locals have even resorted to using fish hooks in the hope of retrieving his body.
