Shillong, August 10: Kwis Sumer of Muktapur village in East Jaiñtia Hills district, who had been reported missing since July 15 after travelling to Karnataka in search of employment, has been safely traced and brought back to Meghalaya following a coordinated interstate search operation.
According to an official press release, Sumer’s disappearance was brought to the attention of the Meghalaya Government through a formal memorandum submitted on July 27. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma subsequently took up the matter with the Karnataka Government to facilitate coordination between the authorities of the two states.
A Meghalaya Police team led by Lovish Garg, IPS, travelled to Bengaluru along with representatives of Sumer’s clan and coordinated with senior Karnataka Police officials. The team worked to reconstruct his last known movements and identify his possible location using technical and other investigative inputs.
The search made a major breakthrough when Sumer attempted to contact his family through social media with the assistance of Kavi Kumar, who had provided him shelter and support during his stay in Karnataka.
Acting on the information, Meghalaya Police, in coordination with Karnataka Police, successfully traced Sumer at Tiptur in Tumkur district. He was found safe and taken into the care of the authorities before arrangements were made for his return to Meghalaya.
Upon reaching Shillong on Monday, Sumer was reunited with his family and clan members and arrangements were made for his return to his home at Muktapur. Sumer and his clan members expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister and all those involved in facilitating his safe return.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma thanked the Karnataka Police, particularly Bengaluru Police, Meghalaya Police and other stakeholders for their coordinated efforts in tracing Sumer and bringing him safely back to the state.
The Chief Minister’s Office also acknowledged the assistance of civil society organisations and community stakeholders, Dr D. Rockyer L. Nonglait, who facilitated the initial communication with the CMO, and Kavi Kumar for providing Sumer with shelter and helping him establish contact with his family.
The government said Sumer’s safe return highlighted the importance of effective interstate police coordination, timely intervention and cooperation between government agencies, communities and concerned citizens.
