BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 15th January 2026: The body of an elderly man was recovered from a pond near the Batatali Dargah area under Melaghar Police Station today, creating shock and concern among local residents.
The deceased has been identified as Kharindra Noatia (85), a resident of Chandul area under Chundul Gram Panchayat, Kanipathar Ward No. 5. According to sources, Kharindra Noatia had gone missing while attending the Poush Sankranti Mela at Sonamura Batatali.
As per the family members, Kharindra Noatia had arrived at the fair with his family on Tuesday evening. They were together until around midnight, after which he suddenly went missing. Despite extensive searching, the family failed to locate him and subsequently lodged a missing complaint at Sonamura Police Station.
On Wednesday, his body was found floating in a large pond near the Nyangta Dargah along the Melaghar–Sonamura main road. A local person first noticed the body, and soon a large crowd gathered at the spot. The matter was immediately reported to the Melaghar Fire Service, which promptly arrived at the scene and recovered the body from the pond.
The deceased was taken to Melaghar Hospital, where he was declared dead. The exact cause of death and circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear at this stage.
Police from Melaghar Police Station have taken up the investigation to determine whether the death was accidental or if any foul play was involved. Further details are awaited pending the police inquiry and post-mortem examination.
