A 27-year-old schoolteacher from Guwahati, Bhabana Sarma, who sparked a massive search operation after sending a chilling distress message to her family, was located safe but disoriented in Shillong on Saturday. The ordeal began on Friday morning when Sarma left her residence in Tetelia, reportedly to collect her pending salary from a local school. While traveling in a hired vehicle, she sent a final, desperate text to her mother stating she was “in danger” before her mobile phone went offline near the Gauhati University area. The sudden disappearance triggered a swift response from the Jalukbari Police, who utilized mobile tower data and technical surveillance to track her movements across state lines.
Relief finally came early Saturday morning when employees arriving at a State Bank of India (SBI) branch near Shillong’s Polo Ground discovered a woman in tears inside a room on the premises. Local Meghalaya police were immediately alerted and confirmed her identity as the missing educator. According to East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem, Sarma appeared highly distressed and was unable to immediately explain how she traveled the 100-kilometer distance from Guwahati to Shillong. While she has been taken for a medical examination to ensure her physical well-being, a joint team from the Assam and Meghalaya police is currently investigating whether any criminal foul play or abduction was involved. Her family has since reached the hill station to reunite with her as authorities continue to piece together the timeline of her disappearance.
