Kohima, 07 February (HS): Kohima Police have recovered the body of Pranab Das (22), a resident of West Tripura, near the Dzukou Valley area, bringing closure to a month-long missing case.

Police said Das had arrived in Kohima on January 2 and was last seen leaving a homestay in Lerie Colony on January 4. He had reportedly booked an entry ticket to Dzukou Valley from the Viswema gate on the same day. A missing complaint was lodged by his family on January 6, following which a case was registered and investigation launched.

During the probe, statements of witnesses were recorded and technical evidence, including call records, bank transactions and CCTV footage, was examined. Several search operations, including drone-assisted missions, were carried out in coordination with the district administration, NSDMA and Southern Angami Youth Organization (SAYO).

On February 6, police received information about a body spotted near the river bank below the Dzukou Valley Helipad. The body was recovered on Saturday morning and later identified as Pranab Das based on documents and personal belongings found at the spot.

Police said there are no preliminary signs of foul play, though the exact cause of death is yet to be ascertained. The body has been kept at the police station morgue, and a post-mortem will be conducted after the arrival of family members.----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash