Siliguri minor drowns in Teesta Canal link river, family alleges murder

Siliguri, 02nd May: A minor boy died after drowning while bathing in a link river of the Teesta canal at Paromunda area in Rajganj, with the family alleging murder. The deceased has been identified as Tanmay Dey (15), a resident of Ward No. 37, Ghogomali in Siliguri.

According to family sources, Tanmay was called out by a few friends on Friday on the pretext of playing. They later went to the Teesta Canal link river, where he allegedly drowned while bathing.

Upon receiving information, police reached the spot, rescued the minor and took him to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Following the incident, the family alleged that Tanmay was forcibly taken by his friends despite his unwillingness and was deliberately pushed into the river as part of a planned act. They also claimed that the friends returned home without informing the family and left Tanmay’s bicycle outside his house.

After the post-mortem on Saturday, the body was brought home, triggering emotional scenes among family members. The family is already in grief, as Tanmay’s father had passed away recently.

A written complaint has been lodged at Ashighar Outpost by the family. Since then, two of Tanmay’s friends and their family members are reportedly absconding. Tension prevailed in the area, prompting police deployment and a route march by central forces to maintain law and order.