A pall of gloom descended on Mandvi village here following the news that the body of Karandeep Singh (19) was found in a river in Salem, Oregon (US). Karandeep had gone missing on October 8.

His father Charanjit Singh, a marginal farmer, said he sent his son to the US over two years ago after selling around 2.5 acres of his agricultural land. “He was just 16 when he left for the US. He had passed Class XI exam, and we wanted him to build a better life there,” Charanjit said, holding back his tears.

He said Karandeep spoke to him over the phone on October 8 morning. “The next day, we kept waiting for his call, but there was no contact. His phone was switched off,” he said.

“I then contacted some youths from our village who are settled in the US. They informed the police there about Karan

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