Nagaland, 08 Feb 2026: In a tragic development, the body of a tourist from Tripura who had gone missing in Dzükou Valley under Kohima district was recovered on February 6, more than a month after he was reported missing.
According to sources, the deceased has been identified as Pranab Das, a resident of Srinagar in West Tripura district. He had gone missing on January 4 after visiting Dzükou Valley and was last seen at the Dzükou ticketing counter in Viswema village on the same day. A missing report was subsequently filed on January 13, following which search operations were initiated in and around the valley.
The body was located in the Dzükou Valley area on February 6. A joint retrieval operation was carried out by the Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) along with volunteers from several youth organisations, including Khuzama Youth Organisation, Viswema Youth Organisation, Jakhama Youth Organisation, Kigwema Youth Organisation, Phesama Youth Organisation, and the Southern Dzükou Guide Council. Each organisation contributed volunteers to assist in the recovery effort.
According to the team, information about the discovery of a body was received from Dzükou caretakers at around 4:00 pm on February 6. The rescue team proceeded immediately and reached the location between 12:00 am and 1:00 am. The body was found by the riverside, a few feet away from the water source and below the helipad area. It was clarified that the body was not inside the water.
Due to the extremely cold climatic conditions in the valley, the body was naturally preserved, showing no signs of decomposition or foul smell, and was described as cold and hardened. Police personnel from South Police Station and Khuzama Police Station also accompanied the team during the recovery operation.
The body was successfully brought to the stoppage point in the early hours of Saturday morning, where a brief prayer service was held. As a mark of respect, members of SAYO and the Viswema Village Council covered the body with Lohe, the traditional Angami shawl, honouring the deceased according to Angami customs.
Further investigation is currently underway to ascertain the exact circumstances leading to the death.
Meanwhile, in the interest of public safety, SAYO has reiterated that hiring a registered tour guide for trekking to Dzükou Valley is now mandatory, urging all visitors to strictly follow safety protocols to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.
