Tourist spots in Meghalaya must have local guides who would properly enlighten tourists about the condition of rivers and streams as well as cliffs especially those that pose danger to people’s life. This suggestion emerged after Meghalaya witnessed a number of tragic incidents where visitors had lost their lives in rivers due to drowning or falling down from a cliff.
A local tour operator in Shillong opined that it is high time that people looking after tourist spots must also engage a local guide who would explain to the visitors the do’s and don’ts so as to prevent sad incidents, especially loss of lives.
On Sunday, a youth from Kolkata and his friend from Shillong drowned at Jainailar stream at Mawkma Village in Sohra in Meghalaya. Police said that the youth, Harsh Mohta, 25, of Biliaghata Road, Kolkata, and Vivek Dhar, 25, of Oakland, Shillong, died after the duo drowned in a whirlpool at the stream. The incident happened on Sunday at around 4 pm.
Mohta and Dhar visited Sohra along with three other friends on Sunday after attending the NH7 Weekender in West Jaiñtia Hills district on Saturday. According to police, Dhar jumped into the stream to save Mohta but both of them failed to get out of the stream due to strong current in the whirlpool. The bodies were brought to Shillong on Sunday and the post-mortem was conducted on Monday morning. The mortal remains of Mohta were flown to Kolkata.