Student leader drowns, body retrieved

ITANAGAR, Aug 19: A student leader reportedly drowned in the Poma river at Rakap village in Sangdupota circle of Papum Pare district on Monday when he had gone there with his friends for recreation.
Balijan SDPO Kamdam Sikom informed that the deceased, identified as Punyo Lampung, aged about 26 years, drowned at around 11 am. He was the vice president (admin) of the Apatani Students’ Union (ASU).
The body was retrieved, and brought to RK Mission Hospital here, where it has been kept in the morgue.
The deceased was a native of Hong village in Lower Subansiri district.
A case (No-04/19 u/s-174 CrPC) of unnatural death has been registered at the Balijan police station, and the case has been endorsed to SI T Habung for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the ASU has expressed deep sorrow at Lampung’s untimely demise.
In a condolence message, the union described Lampung as “a sincere, hardworking, decisive and upright leader who had always made sacrifices for the cause of the student community.”
Saying that it has lost an active member and the society a great leader, the ASU offered condolences to the bereaved family, and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul.
The Arunachal Students Union Delhi (ASUD) also mourned the passing away of Lampung. In a message, ASUD president Likha Akash said Lampung had been the vice president of the ASUD from 2015 to 2017, and expressed sorrow over “the loss of an active and emerging energetic youth leader.”
The All Lower Subansiri District Students’ Union (ALSDSU) also mourned Lampung’s untimely death.
“He was one of the versatile and dedicated student leaders of the Apatani community in particular, and Lower Subansiri and the state as a whole. He will always be remembered for his dedicated service to the student community,” the union said.