Sonamura: Jan 15. What began as a festive outing ended in heartbreak as an 85-year-old man, missing since last night’s Poush Sankranti fair at Sonamura Battali, was found dead floating in a pond this morning.
The deceased, Kharinda Noatia, hailed from Kanipathar Ward No. 5 under Chundul Gram Panchayat. He had come to the fair with his family, but after midnight, he mysteriously went missing.
His family searched through the night in growing panic before finally reporting the matter to Sonamura police.
Morning brought devastating news when locals discovered his body in a pond near Nyangta Dargah, along the Melaghar–Sonamura main road. The Melaghar Fire Service recovered the body and transported it to Melaghar Hospital.
Police officials said the exact cause of death remains unknown and will be determined after autopsy. The body is currently kept in the hospital morgue.
While some local residents hinted at possible alcohol consumption during the fair, authorities emphasized that such claims remain unverified and the investigation is ongoing.
