Search Continues for Missing Youth in Assam State Zoo

Ongoing Search for Missing Meghalaya Youth

Guwahati, July 4: Efforts are still underway to locate a 22-year-old man from Meghalaya who has been reported missing at the Assam State Zoo-cum-Botanical Garden. Authorities have indicated that there are signs suggesting he may have exited the zoo voluntarily.

The individual, named Biltmore Bohthmit from the Rengro region of Meghalaya, entered the zoo carrying a bag on the evening of July 3.

As there was no record of him leaving, concerns grew rapidly, leading the Forest Department and local police to initiate a late-night search operation throughout the zoo's extensive hilly area.

Fears heightened when zoo personnel found a pair of shoes, a cap, a mask, and a bag containing a notebook and a bank passbook near the giraffe enclosure during a routine check. These items helped identify the young man but also raised further questions regarding his location.

“We promptly notified Geetanagar Police and commenced a thorough search with sniffer dogs. Every corner of the zoo was meticulously searched,” stated Ashwini Kumar, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Assam State Zoo.

“Based on certain clues and CCTV footage, we believe the youth may have left the zoo during the night, but we lack definitive proof,” Kumar added.

The Geetanagar Police, who supported the overnight search, noted that the zoo's expansive forested area complicated their efforts.

“We discovered his bag and personal documents, which aided in tracing his background. We searched throughout the night but were unable to find him within the zoo. Currently, we do not have solid CCTV evidence of him exiting, so the search continues,” a police official remarked.

Zoo officials have also shared a CCTV image of the youth wearing a mask while inside the zoo. Police are urging the public to provide any information that could assist in locating him.

“We encourage the family or anyone with relevant information to step forward. While we suspect he may have left, he has not returned home and remains missing,” the DFO emphasized.

Authorities have committed to ongoing coordinated search efforts until the youth's whereabouts are established.