Shillong, May 28: A massive search and rescue operation involving drones and remote sensing is under way for a missing couple whose rented scooty was found abandoned at Sohra Rim on May 24.
Cabinet minister AL Hek on Wednesday visited the area to oversee the search and rescue operations for the missing tourists – Raja Raghuvanshi and his wife Sonam – from Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
Three search and rescue teams supported by K9 units, drones from NESAC and special operations team (SOT) personnel have been deployed at Nongriat-Pyndemdkhar-Mawlakhiat and Mawsahew-Wahkaliar Weisawdong areas.
After reviewing the search and rescue operations, the minister emphasised the urgency of a thorough and expedited search to locate the missing couple.
The search will extend up to the gorges along Mawkdok, Umdiengpoh, and up to Sohra Rim along Shillong-Sohra Road.
Local communities have been canvassed for witness reports and block development officers have been asked to instruct all field staff to do the same, informed the Sohra ADC.
The couple arrived at Mawlakhiat under Elaka Mynteng on May 22 on a rented scooty to visit the double decker root bridge at Nongriat. They engaged a local guide, Bha Wansai, and stayed overnight at Shipara Homestay at Nongriat.
However, on the same day, the couple had first entered Manha Homestay at Saitsohpen, Sohra where they kept their luggage before proceeding further due to no vacancies and heavy rainfall. They provided their names and phone number before proceeding to look for accommodation, the ADC said.
After staying the night at Nongriat on May 22, they checked out next day at 6 am intending to return to Mawlakhiat. However, no confirmed sighting of either the couple trekking from Nongriat to Mawlakhiat or their scooty at Mawlakhiat parking lot was reported, amid heavy tourist footfall on the day, the official said.
On May 24 around 9:00 pm, the Sordar of Sohrarim reported an abandoned scooty, which was traced to the couple via e-challan on 25 May at 2:30 pm.
Meanwhile, an FIR was lodged by the relatives of the couple.
Their luggage kept Manha Homestay was opened along with the relatives but revealed no clues, the ADC said.
