Kohima, Feb. 5: A student of St. Joseph’s College at Jakhama who went missing since Saturday afternoon has been found dead in the hilly terrain above the college this morning.
Authorities suspect that he may have fallen off from the top of a cliff where he was last seen by his friend who, along with him, had trekked up the nearby mountain range reportedly to take photographs.
The remains of the youth, Aneikuo Kruse, a second semester economics major student, was found about 600 feet below the cliff top by southern Angami youth volunteers on Sunday at around 7 am. The body reportedly bore broken limbs and broken ribs, among others. However, no foul play has been suspected.
The friend is said to have reported that a strong wind blew at the time of the incident. When he looked back to where Kruse had been was standing, he was no longer in sight.
The search for the missing youth by the Disaster Management authorities and district administration, and volunteers from southern Angami villages and western Angami youths through the terrain till 1 am this morning proved futile.
The remains of the youth were found by an advance search party of southern Angami youth volunteers. From there, the disaster management team and police took over.
Later, a short memorial service was held at the foothill. The dead body was handed over to the parents and family of the deceased. The body was taken to the native village, Thekrejuma, where funeral rites were performed.
The Western Angami Youth Organisation, of which the deceased was a member, has acknowledged the voluntary efforts of the southern Angami people, Jakhama village, St. Joseph’s College authorities and students, police, disaster management team, district administration, besides other individuals and organisations for extending help in the search and recovery of the remains of Aneikuo Kruse.
