Abhijit Saikia, a TGT (Mathematics) at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) Chukitong, who had been missing since February 8, was found dead on March 7 in a decomposed state.

According to police, the body was discovered by hunters and reported at around 11 a.m. on Saturday. It was recovered from Jayim river, also known locally as Juthum Erü (three rivers), located between N Longidan and Mungya villages, approximately 10 km from JNV Chukitong.

Speaking over the phone, Additional SP Wokha, Biren Lotha, said the river terrain is extremely dangerous, with shallow gorges and cliffs, making retrieval of the body difficult even for the police. He added that Saikia may have slipped and drowned. After completing legal formalities, the body badly decomposed was handed over to the family on Saturday night.

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Saikia’s disappearance had prompted a community-wide search. On February 12, the Chukitong Range Public Organization, village leaders, students, and youth groups organized a search operation, followed by a police-led search on February 13.

However, when no trace was found, the search was suspended amid speculation that he might have left for his native place, as JNV is located near National Highway-2.