After three days of relentless search operations, rescue teams have recovered the body of a 32-year-old man from Bihar’s Gaya district, who had fallen into a deep gorge at the Pongging Viewpoint in Arunachal Pradesh.

The deceased, identified as Uma Shankar, was working as a Contractual Assistant Manager with India Post Payments Bank at the Dhemaji Post Office in Assam.

According to official sources, teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) managed to retrieve the body after an arduous operation hindered by heavy rains and dense fog. Shankar’s body was found stuck on a tree branch about 40 metres above the Siang–Yamne River confluence site. Preliminary findings indicate that he died due to severe skull injuries sustained from the fall.

Uma Shankar had travelled to East Siang district as a tourist along with his friends — Kushantadip Baruah, Anup Kumar, and Subodh Kumar — after obtaining a tourist permit from the Ruksin Gate. The tragic incident occurred on October 2, when the group was visiting the picturesque Pongging Viewpoint.

This is not the first fatal accident reported from the location. In August 2021, a 22-year-old tourist from Jonai, Assam, lost his life after his vehicle skidded off the same viewpoint and plunged into the gorge. His body, too, was recovered after a challenging multi-day search involving local volunteers.

Following repeated accidents, several residents and local leaders have urged the East Siang and Upper Siang district administrations to install safety fencing and warning signage at Pongging Viewpoint to prevent further tragedies.

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