The body of Pranab Das, a 22-year-old blogger from Tripura who had gone missing in Nagaland nearly a month ago, was brought back to his residence at Malaynagar Nepali Para in Srinagar on Monday, casting a shadow of grief over the locality. Family members, relatives, and neighbors broke down in tears as the young man’s mortal remains arrived home, ending weeks of anxious waiting.
Pranab Das was last seen on January 4 at the ticket counter of Dzükou Valley in Viswema village under Kohima district, where he had travelled as part of a trekking trip. After losing contact with him the same day, his family lodged a missing person’s complaint on January 13. This triggered an extensive search operation involving Kohima Police, the Southern Angami Youth Organization (SAYO), and the Southern Dzükou Guide Council, with teams braving difficult terrain and harsh weather conditions. Drones were also deployed to aid the search across the valley.
On February 6, Das’s body was recovered near a river close to the Dzükou Valley helipad. Due to severe winter conditions, the body had not decomposed significantly, enabling authorities to confirm his identity through personal belongings, including a Dzükou Valley entry slip, mobile phones, a wallet, and identification documents. After completing necessary legal formalities, the remains were transported from the base camp and handed over to officials.
Kohima Police stated that the recovery was linked to a case registered at South Police Station and that investigations had been ongoing since early January. Preliminary inquiries suggest no immediate signs of foul play, though the exact cause of death is yet to be ascertained. Meanwhile, family members and local residents have demanded a thorough and transparent investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
As news of his death spread, social media was flooded with tributes and condolence messages. The tragic incident has left Malaynagar in mourning, as residents grieve the loss of a young blogger whose life ended far too soon.
