Five teenagers found safe after going missing in Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary

NAMO DIXIT

NAMCHI,: Five teenagers who went missing in South Sikkim’s Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary were found safe on Thursday, Forest officials said, after a three-day search operation involving local officials, Indian Army and volunteers.

The youths, aged 17 and students of Namchi boys’ senior secondary school, went missing on the evening of December 10 while exploring the sanctuary. They were later located on December 12 and returned safely to Khop village.

“All five youths are now under medical observation at Rabong Primary Health Centre,” Maenam Wildlife Range said, adding that the exact cause of their disappearance is under investigation. Ugen Tashi Bhutia, graduate forester at Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, suggested that ignoring sanctuary signage may have contributed to the incident. Also, the youth had taken short cut instead of the designated trail, officials informed.

The search effort involved the Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary staff, the Forest and Environment department, Namchi DC, SDM offices of Ravangla and Yangang, SDPOs, local police, SDMA Chemchey, Indian Army, villagers and volunteers.

One of the teenagers, Ashim Rai, thanked the authorities and volunteers, calling the experience a “turning point” and “a lesson in disguise.”

Authorities have urged visitors to follow safety guidelines while entering wildlife areas to prevent similar incidents in the future.