Darjeeling Tourist Missing for 10 Days in Sikkim; Search Ops Continues

On April 23, Sikkim Police dispatched a dedicated search and rescue team to Thangshing.

Ten days have passed since 31-year-old Sandeepan Roy from Darjeeling went missing near Thangshing on the Goechala trekking route. Sikkim Police, along with multiple partner agencies, continue their intensive search and rescue operation in the high-altitude region, battling harsh terrain and limited communication.

Roy, son of Rajendra Nath Roy and a resident of Baramohan Singh, Indra Pally, Kadamtala, Darjeeling, began his trek towards Goechala on April 19, with six other tourists and a local guide, Sanchaman Subba of Yuksam. The group trekked under the arrangements of tour operator of Yuksam.

On the evening of April 21, after reaching near Thangshing, the group found that Roy was missing. Immediate search efforts by his team yielded no results. Poor network connectivity near Tshoka delayed initial communication and coordination with officials.

On April 23, Sikkim Police dispatched a dedicated search and rescue team to Thangshing. Despite continued efforts, they are yet to locate Roy.

The initial rescue team included two police personnel along with six forest department staff and local volunteers. The volunteers, 14 in total, included experienced locals such as Gambir Man Limboo, Sancha Man Subba, and others.

Roy’s family has been informed and is currently stationed at Yuksam.

To strengthen the operation, authorities submitted an official request for support from the 72nd Battalion of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) at Khecheopalri and the 2nd Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) at Darap. Both agencies are now actively involved in the search.

A new rescue team was dispatched to Thangshing on April 30, consisting of 8 SSB jawans, 4 NDRF personnel, 2 policemen from Yuksam Outpost, 4 yaks, 2 porters, and a cook. A backup team of 12 SSB jawans under a Deputy Commandant remains on standby at Yuksam to manage emergencies.

Rescue teams now carry satellite phones and VHF wireless sets to maintain communication across the remote area.

Thangshing lies approximately two days’ trek from Yuksam, with a customary halt at Tshoka. The entire operation is being closely monitored by Tshering Sherpa, Superintendent of Police, Gyalshing District.

Also Read: Vice-Chancellor Of Sikkim University Prof. Jyoti Prakash Tamang Passes Away

For more news and updates, visit: Northeast Live

COMMENTS