ES Reporter 

SEPPA, Sep 14: As the search continues for missing mountaineer Tapi Mra and his assistant Niku Dao who went incommunicado on August 17 last, reports reveal that the Everester had not informed the East Kameng District administration about his plans to summit Mount Khyarii Satam and was also advised by the State Sports Department to avoid the expedition this time of year.
Minister of Sports & Youth Affairs, Mama Natung who today called a meeting with Deputy Commissioner East Kameng, PA Polumatla to discuss  the search & rescue mission told reporters that Mra had approached his department for the Khyarii Satam summit. However, the department subsequently advised him to avoid the track following bad weather.
Hailing Mra as 'pride of the state', the Minister said, His (Mra) idea to scale and explore Khyarii Satam is for the greater good of the state and district in specific.
“We are not blaming or making  any excuses for no official procedure. We are concerned for for both and the district administration along with the Indian Army and locals is making all efforts to look out for their whereabouts,” he said.
He said during the aerial search, the Indian Army could not locate any sign of the missing duo; now the effort is to search by land. He added that a team of Army personnel and mountaineers have also surveyed the first base camp and is en route to the second base camp.
“Even if we can’t locate the whereabouts of Tapi Mra and Niku Dao, the search team will look into other aspects of their survival till date. No stone will be left unturned to ensure their safe return,” he said, adding that nine Indian Army personnel and three local mountaineers has been engaged for the land survey.
Meanwhile, MLA Hayeng Mangfi said that this would be probably the third attempt by Tapi Mra to explore Mount Khyarii Satam. Thus, he should have followed proper procedure before leaving for the exploration.
He said Khyarii Satam is one of most dangerous mountain peaks along the boundary of Bameng and Chayangtajo constituency. Moreover, none from the area has ever reached the peak so far.
“So, even if there is any sign of hope of their existence, we will ensure that both return home safe. But unfortunately, till date there is no such sign,” he added.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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