Credit Where Credit is Due: Cachar SP Honours Diver for Recovering Bodies of Mother and Daughter in Borkhola Tragedy

Sheikh Robijul Ali, a fisherman from Srikona Rakhal Khaler Par, was honoured by Cachar Superintendent of Police Numal Mahatta for his heroic role in recovering the bodies of a mother and her one-year-old daughter from a submerged car in the Barak River at Raipur, Borkhola. Robijul, whose quick thinking and exceptional diving skills saved the day after hours of failed rescue attempts by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), received a cash prize and an assurance of employment with the Village Defence Party (VDP) or Assam Home Guards.

The tragic accident occurred late on December 17, when Rais Uddin Barbhuiya, a resident of Buribail Part 3, was returning home with his wife, Helena Begum Barbhuiya, and infant daughter, Jannatara Begum, after a doctor’s visit in Silchar. Their Alto car skidded off an embankment and plunged 200 metres into the Barak River. Rais Uddin managed to escape through the car’s window but could not save his wife and child, who were trapped inside.

The SDRF team launched a search operation but struggled to locate the submerged vehicle despite efforts lasting 7 to 8 hours. The family then called on Robijul Ali, known locally for his ability to dive for up to 10 minutes. In a remarkable display of skill, Robijul located the vehicle within 30 seconds of his first dive and secured it with a rope on his second attempt, enabling locals to pull it out.

SP Numal Mahatta commended Robijul and Zakir Hussain, the president of the Village Defence Party in Borkhola, who stayed with the SDRF team throughout the night, assisting in the search. Both men were felicitated by the police.

Expressing his gratitude, Robijul thanked Cachar Police for the recognition and promised to continue serving the community. SP Mahatta lauded his bravery and called him “an asset to Cachar Police.” The assurance of a job for Robijul underscores the administration’s commitment to recognising the contributions of everyday heroes.