DEOMALI : The search and rescue operation at the Chatjo River entered its third day on Monday, with rescue teams recovering the body of the second student who went missing in the tragic drowning incident involving three students.

The first body, that of a student from Kaimai village, was recovered on Saturday, the day of the incident. The second body was traced on Monday following an intensive search by multiple rescue agencies. Efforts are continuing to locate the third missing student.

The operation is being led by National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) In-charge Inspector Nitish Singh and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) In-charge Sub-Inspector Yumto Pulong under the overall supervision of Deomali Additional Deputy Commissioner In-charge Indira Thomoung Riba. Rescue personnel have been camping at the site and will continue the operation on Tuesday.

According to sources, the three students of St George School, Deomali, had accompanied their parents for haircuts on July 11, when the school was observing the second Saturday as Parents’ Visiting Day. However, the circumstances under which the boys reached the riverside remain unclear and are under inquiry.

The search operation is being jointly carried out by the district administration, Tirap Police, SDRF, NDRF, Indian Reserve Battalion (IRBn) personnel and local volunteers, who continue to scour the river in an effort to trace the remaining missing student.