A tragic incident in Assam’s Dima Hasao district has left the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Silchar community in deep shock, after the bodies of three first-year students who went missing during an outing were recovered from a waterfall near Harangajao village. The accident, which occurred on Saturday morning, has triggered grief among families, classmates, and faculty members while raising questions about student safety and adherence to campus protocols.

According to police officials, the three students—identified as Sarva Kritika (20), Sauhard Rai (20), and Radhika Kumari (19)—had gone to the waterfall for a weekend excursion without informing NIT authorities. All three reportedly slipped and fell into the turbulent waters while exploring the area. Local residents alerted authorities after witnessing the incident, prompting an immediate emergency response. The waterfall, located in a remote part of the district, is known for its scenic beauty but also for strong currents and slippery rocks, particularly during the post-monsoon season when water levels remain high.

Emergency services began search operations on Saturday afternoon. Officials said the body of one student was located and recovered on Saturday evening, but fading daylight and difficult terrain slowed efforts to trace the remaining two students. On Sunday morning, two search teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) resumed operations at first light. Additional Superintendent of Police Farukh Ahmed confirmed that the bodies of the remaining two students were found around 12.30 pm on Sunday. All three bodies were later taken to Haflong for post-mortem examinations.

The victims hailed from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Police said the parents of two students have already reached Dima Hasao district, while authorities are in touch with the family of the third. Officials stated that once the autopsy is completed, the bodies may either be released directly to the families in Haflong or transported to NIT Silchar, depending on the parents’ wishes. Police have taken up all legal and procedural formalities related to the incident, and preliminary investigations indicate accidental drowning.

The news has deeply affected the NIT Silchar campus, with administrators, faculty members, and students expressing grief and disbelief. Institute director Professor Dilip Kumar Baidya confirmed that the deceased were first-year students who had recently begun their academic journey. He noted that NIT Silchar has a strict protocol requiring students to notify authorities before leaving the campus, especially when travelling to off-campus locations known to have safety risks. Such rules, he said, are intended to ensure timely assistance in emergencies and to help the administration track student movement for their security.

However, the director said that despite repeated reminders, some students choose to ignore these protocols. In this case, he confirmed that the three students had left campus without the required permission. Professor Baidya said the institute would review existing guidelines and take additional measures to strengthen campus security, prevent unsupervised travel, and improve student awareness about the risks associated with visiting isolated natural sites. He emphasised that NIT Silchar encourages student recreation and exploration, but such activities must be conducted responsibly, with full knowledge of institutional procedures and local hazards.

The incident has also prompted local authorities to consider whether additional safety signage or fencing is needed around waterfalls and streams in the Harangajao area. Rescue personnel who participated in the search operation noted that the combination of slippery rocks, uneven terrain, and rapidly flowing water can make these locations dangerous for visitors, particularly those unfamiliar with the region’s geographical conditions. They added that even experienced trekkers are advised to remain cautious around natural cascades in the district.

Back on campus, grief counselling services have been activated for students who were friends or classmates of the victims. The institute administration said the loss of three young students in a single incident has created an atmosphere of sorrow and anxiety, particularly among first-year students who had only recently begun their college life away from home. Faculty mentors and counsellors have been asked to proactively reach out to students who may be emotionally affected.

The parents of the deceased students are being assisted by both NIT Silchar authorities and local police in navigating formalities and travel arrangements. The director offered full support from the institute to ensure that the families face no administrative hurdles during an already difficult time. He also stated that the institute would reflect on the accident to determine whether additional internal safeguards—such as mandatory sign-out systems, curbs on unsupervised off-campus travel, or partnerships with local authorities—could prevent such tragedies in the future.

The accident has reignited conversations among educators, administrators, and parents about the risks associated with student outings near waterfalls, gorges, and other natural features in the Northeastern region. While such locations are popular among young people for their scenic appeal, they often lack clear signage, safety railings, or monitoring. In several past incidents across the region, students and tourists have been injured or swept away by fast-flowing streams during treks or photography sessions near waterfalls.

Local villagers near Harangajao said they often warn visitors to maintain distance from the water channels, but many young people are unaware of the dangers posed by wet rocks and sudden drops. Some community members have urged the district administration to station trained personnel or erect warning boards at commonly visited spots.

For NIT Silchar, the tragedy is a reminder of the responsibilities institutions hold toward the safety and well-being of students living away from home. The director acknowledged that while personal choices ultimately determine risks, institutions must create robust systems to ensure that students understand the gravity of safety protocols. He said the administration will soon issue additional advisories and explore whether digital permission systems or check-in mechanisms could help monitor student movement more efficiently.

The recovery of the three bodies marks the end of an intense search operation, but the emotional and institutional impact of the incident will be felt for much longer. As the families prepare to take their children home for the last time, the tragedy has left a sobering message for both students and institutions: that even routine recreational outings can carry significant risks in unfamiliar terrain, and that safety measures cannot be taken lightly.

The district police have indicated that once post-mortem results are available, a complete report will be compiled to close the case, unless further investigation is required. For now, the focus remains on supporting the families, assisting the NIT community, and ensuring that similar incidents do not occur again.

The loss of three promising young lives has cast a shadow over the institute and the region, serving as a painful reminder of the need for vigilance, responsibility, and stronger preventive systems to safeguard students in the future.