Latvian trekker''s body found near Manimahesh lake; was missing since Sept

Tribune News Service
Dharamsala, August 10

A badly-decomposed body discovered in the Manimahesh area of Chamba district on Friday has been identified as that of a Latvian national, who went missing in September last year from Mcleodganj, Dharamsala. 

The body of 32-year-old Aleksandra Cawa Ruzga was discovered at Kamal Kund near Manimahesh lake in Bharmour area yesterday.  

Chamba Superintendent of Police Monika Bhutungru said some locals spotted the body last Thursday on way to Manimahesh lake after which a police team was sent to retrieve it.

The body was today brought to the Harsar base camp and taken to Chamba Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem. The police recovered his passport which helped identifying the deceased. 

Aleksandra was last seen on September 18, 2018 near Nag Dal lake across 4,350-metre high Indrahar Pass in Dhauladhar mountains. He had contacted his mother Inna Sinchuka on September 14.

He was on a solo trekking expedition to reach Leh via Chamba and was planning to attend a meditation course at Dhamma Laddha Vipassana meditation centre in Leh from October 17 to 28.

Irina Lapyuk, a trekker, had also claimed that she met Aleksandra near Nag Dal lake September 18.

His mother had filed a missing complaint with Latvian police, who informed the Kangra police after which an extensive search was launched for several days. Meanwhile, the Chamba police have informed the Latvian embassy in New Delhi.