Search for missing BJP neta, seven others continues in Sikkim | Bhubaneswar News
Kendrapada: Plight of families of eight tourists, including Odisha BJP Mahila Morcha secretary Itishree Jena and her elder son, missing after a road accident in Sikkim on Thursday increased as rescue operations entered the third day on Saturday.At Umapada village in Jajpur, a pall of gloom descended as relatives sat in shock and disbelief. The missing persons include Itishree (42), her elder son Sahil (20), her brother Ajit Nayak (45), and sister-in-law Sunita Nayak (43), among others.“We suspect the bodies might have been swept towards Tibet or Bangladesh, given the accident occurred three days ago,” said Sishir Nayak, a survivor who was travelling in a separate vehicle with other family members.Rescue efforts by NDRF, Sikkim police, ITBP and fire brigade personnel have been severely hampered by incessant rain and strong currents in the Teesta river, where the vehicle plunged 1,000 feet. The water level has risen by 4 ft, further complicating search operations.Two survivors, Sairaj Jena and Swoyam Supratim Nayak, remain in critical condition at a Gangtok hospital’s ICU. “We need the Odisha govt’s help to airlift them to Bhubaneswar for better treatment,” said Sishir.Two relatives, Susanta Jena and Nihar Ranjan Jena, have reached Sikkim to assist the surviving family members. Additional transport commissioner Dipti Ranjan Patra and joint transport commissioner Bikash Chaudhary have arrived in Gangtok to provide necessary support.The accident took place when the tourist vehicle, carrying passengers from Odisha and Tripura, skidded off the road while travelling from Lachen to Lachung in Mangan district. Landslides triggered by heavy rainfall continue to disrupt life in the region.Kendrapada: Plight of families of eight tourists, including Odisha BJP Mahila Morcha secretary Itishree Jena and her elder son, missing after a road accident in Sikkim on Thursday increased as rescue operations entered the third day on Saturday.At Umapada village in Jajpur, a pall of gloom descended as relatives sat in shock and disbelief. The missing persons include Itishree (42), her elder son Sahil (20), her brother Ajit Nayak (45), and sister-in-law Sunita Nayak (43), among others.“We suspect the bodies might have been swept towards Tibet or Bangladesh, given the accident occurred three days ago,” said Sishir Nayak, a survivor who was travelling in a separate vehicle with other family members.Rescue efforts by NDRF, Sikkim police, ITBP and fire brigade personnel have been severely hampered by incessant rain and strong currents in the Teesta river, where the vehicle plunged 1,000 feet. The water level has risen by 4 ft, further complicating search operations.Two survivors, Sairaj Jena and Swoyam Supratim Nayak, remain in critical condition at a Gangtok hospital’s ICU. “We need the Odisha govt’s help to airlift them to Bhubaneswar for better treatment,” said Sishir.Two relatives, Susanta Jena and Nihar Ranjan Jena, have reached Sikkim to assist the surviving family members. Additional transport commissioner Dipti Ranjan Patra and joint transport commissioner Bikash Chaudhary have arrived in Gangtok to provide necessary support.The accident took place when the tourist vehicle, carrying passengers from Odisha and Tripura, skidded off the road while travelling from Lachen to Lachung in Mangan district. Landslides triggered by heavy rainfall continue to disrupt life in the region.
