Likha Tajap's Body Recovered After Four-Day Search
YAZALI, July 8:
The body of 13-year-old Likha Tajap, who was swept away by the strong current at the confluence of the Kal and Panyor rivers in Yazali while rescuing his younger brother, was recovered on Wednesday morning after an intensive four-day search operation.
According to Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Yazali Police, Tabong Pasar, the incident occurred on Sunday, July 5, when Likha's younger brother accidentally began drowning in the river.
Without hesitation, Likha jumped into the fast-flowing water and managed to push his brother to safety. However, he was overpowered by the strong current and disappeared beneath the water.
Immediately after the incident, a large-scale search and rescue operation was launched under the supervision of OC Tabong Pasar.
Personnel from the Yazali Police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local volunteers carried out an extensive search despite difficult river conditions.
After four days of relentless efforts, the search operation came to a tragic end on Wednesday morning when local residents spotted a body lodged among rocks near the Yazali Police Station.
Police and SDRF personnel rushed to the spot and recovered the body, which was later identified as that of Likha Tajap.
Following the completion of all legal formalities, the body was handed over to the bereaved family for the performance of the last rites.
The heartbreaking incident has cast a pall of grief over the area, with residents paying tribute to the young boy's extraordinary courage and selfless sacrifice in saving his younger brother's life.
Meanwhile, authorities have renewed their appeal to the public, particularly children and youngsters, to avoid entering rivers during the monsoon season.
They cautioned that swollen rivers, strong currents, and sudden changes in water levels pose a serious risk to life and urged people to exercise utmost caution near water bodies.
