Cops still in dark about missing US trekker

Our Correspondent

KULLU, OCTober 26

Despite a massive search operation in the Parbati valley, the police is still clueless about missing US national Justin Alexander Shelter (35). The tourist has gone missing while trekking in the Parbati valley since August 22.

His friend had reported to the police on October 3 that Justinr had gone to trek in the Parbati valley since August 22 and there was no contact with him since then.

The police had arrested one more person and he was being questioned. Kullu SP Padam Chand said Anil was accompanying the police team as a porter that had gone in the interior regions of the Parbati valley to trace Justin. He added that Anil was arrested on suspicion and further investigations were being carried out.

Even earlier, the police had arrested Naga Baba on October 15 after Justin’s mother C Susanne Reeb had alleged that he might have a hand in kidnapping of Justin as they had stayed together for a few days somewhere near the Mantalai lake. However, the police were not able to get any clue from the baba and he also committed suicide in the police custody on October 21.

Relatives of Justin had also met Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh during his visit to Kullu who assured them all support from the government to trace Justin. The SP said various teams had been put into action to trace Justin in the valley. However, massive efforts to trace Justin had so far rendered no results and there were no whereabouts of the missing foreigner.