Tragic Discovery in Arunachal Pradesh: Truck Drivers Found Dead After Four-Day Search
In a heartbreaking development, two truck drivers from Tinsukia were found dead on Thursday along the perilous Roing-Hunli road near Mayodia in Arunachal Pradesh's Dibang Valley district. The grim discovery came four days after their disappearance, marking the end of an intensive search operation.
Details of the Fatal Accident
The victims have been identified as Manoj Kumar Shah (48), the driver, and Tanka Bahadur Chetri (34), the co-driver. Both were employees of TCI, a Tinsukia-based goods transport company. Their truck had plunged approximately 70 meters into a deep gorge, resulting in their tragic demise.
According to official reports, the duo had embarked on their journey from Tinsukia on Sunday morning. They were transporting construction materials destined for a business outlet in Arunachal Pradesh's Anini district. The vehicle was last tracked passing through the Shantipur check gate along the Assam-Arunachal border at 7:30 PM on Sunday.
Search Operation and Investigation
Initially, family members and the transport company attributed the drivers' silence to poor mobile connectivity in the remote area. However, after two days of no communication, concerned relatives filed a missing person complaint at Tinsukia police station on Wednesday evening.
The police response was swift and coordinated. Tinsukia SSP Mayank Kumar immediately contacted Dibang Valley SP Manish Shaurya, initiating a joint search operation on Thursday morning. A police official involved in the investigation revealed crucial details about the breakthrough in the case.
"The GPS signal, which wasn't showing earlier, suddenly appeared at one location," the official stated. "The driver's phone was switched off, but the co-driver's phone started ringing, which wasn't the case before. However, he was not responding to the call. This led us to suspect a possible accident."
Broader Implications and Safety Concerns
This tragic incident highlights several important issues:
- The challenging terrain and treacherous road conditions in the Roing-Hunli corridor
- Communication difficulties in remote border areas between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh
- The importance of timely reporting and coordinated search operations
- Safety concerns for commercial vehicle operators in mountainous regions
The discovery has left the local community in mourning, particularly in Tinsukia where both drivers were based. The transport company has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of their employees and is cooperating fully with authorities in the ongoing investigation.
This accident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks faced by commercial drivers navigating difficult terrain, especially in regions with limited communication infrastructure and challenging road conditions.
