The recovery of an abandoned two-wheeler atop a bridge across the Gelabil channel in Assam's Dergaon in the Golaghat district on Wednesday led to a frantic search for a youth, who is thought to have jumped into the water body.

The vehicle was identified as belonging to Ranjan Kalita, a resident near the Burhi Gosani Than area in Dergaon. Locals who first spotted the unattended two-wheeler alerted authorities, raising concerns over the rider’s whereabouts.

Subsequent inquiries revealed that Kalita had been missing since the previous day, deepening suspicions that he may have either accidentally fallen or deliberately leapt into the Gelabil channel. The circumstances leading to his disappearance, however, remain unclear.

Upon being informed, local police rushed to the spot and launched a search operation with the assistance of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Teams conducted extensive searches in and around the water body, scanning possible entry points and downstream areas.

Despite hours of effort, no trace of the missing youth was found till the time of filing this report. Police officials said the search operation would continue, while also probing all possible angles, including accidental fall and suicide.