The Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) informed in a press release today that it has been unable to locate the missing domestic tourist Pranab Das from Tripura despite extensive search and rescue operation by various stakeholders.
Das, a domestic tourist from Srinagar District, West Tripura went missing on January 4, however the incident was informed to the office of the Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) on January 13. On pursuance of the information received, the Organisation found that his last known trace was recorded on January 4 at the Dzükou Ticketing Counter, Viswema confirming his entry into Dzükou. However, there was no record of his arrival at the Dzükou Valley Base Camp, claimed the organisation.
In response, the Organisation conducted an extensive joint search and rescue operation involving over 200 volunteers, including police personnel from the South Police Station and Khuzama Police Station, officials from the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), and members of the Southern Angami Tour Guide Council (SATGC) and volunteers from the Southern Angami Villages.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
“The volunteers thoroughly searched all possible locations along the trekking routes to Dzūkou Valley and across the Valley itself. The operation was further extended to include Drone-Assisted searches with expert support. The search and rescue operation was joint by his father, uncle, and brother from 13th to 16th January, 2026, but unfortunately yielded no positive results despite exhaustive efforts,” stated SAYO.
The organisation extended its sincere gratitude to various stakeholders: Deputy Commissioner (DC), Kohima, Superintendent of Police(SP), Kohima, Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), South Police Station, Kohima, North Police Station, Khuzama Police Station, SDO (Civil), Jakhama, Southern Angami Public Organisation, Khriekesa Pelikro, Angami Youth Organisation, Southern Angami Tour Guide Council (SATGC) and all Southern Angami villages for rendering their valuable support and cooperation by deploying resources and personnel to carry out the search and rescue operation.
“It is acknowledged that the parents of Das have also expressed their deep appreciation for the dedicated efforts of the SAYO, particularly for undertaking extensive search operations across difficult terrains and facing significant risks throughout the mission,” added the organisation.
Expressing concern over such recurring incident, the organisation reiterated on the safety protocols for trekking which came to effect on October 1, 2025, where it is mandatory for tourists (National/International) to get a local tour guide to trek Dzükou Valley.
