The body of a 31-year-old man from Assam who had been missing since September 18 was recovered from a stream in Meghalaya’s West Khasi Hills district, with his family seeking an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The deceased was identified as Binod Chetry of Lower Lampi in Assam’s Kamrup district. His highly decomposed body was recovered from a stream at Pyndensohstap village on September 29 after the village headman alerted Meghalaya Police.
A team from the Langpih Border Outpost reached the spot and recovered the body. Police subsequently called a mobile crime scene team and conducted an inquest in the presence of independent witnesses.
According to police, the body was found submerged and floating among boulders in the river in an advanced state of decomposition. A tattoo bearing the name “Rahul” was found on the chest.
The body was taken to Civil Hospital, Nongstoin, for post-mortem examination and kept there pending identification. Binod’s father, Mukul Chetry, later identified the body as that of his son.
After the post-mortem and completion of the required formalities, police handed over the body to his father in the presence of independent witnesses.
Binod had reportedly disappeared from Lower Lampi on September 18. His father told police that Binod had a history of alcohol consumption and would sometimes leave home without informing his family about his whereabouts.
However, the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death have led the family to seek a detailed investigation. A complaint has reportedly been lodged at Boko Police Station seeking a probe.
The recovery of the body from the Meghalaya side of the Assam-Meghalaya border has also raised concerns among local residents. Further details regarding the circumstances leading to Binod’s death are awaited.
