Five teenagers who went missing in the Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary in South Sikkim were safely located on Thursday after a three-day search operation involving local authorities, the Indian Army, and community volunteers. The group, consisting of 17-year-old students from Namchi Boys’ Senior Secondary School, disappeared on the evening of December 10 while exploring the sanctuary. They were found on December 12 and returned home to Khop village.
According to a statement from the Maenam Wildlife Range, all five youths are currently under medical supervision at the Rabong Primary Health Centre. The exact circumstances of their disappearance remain under investigation. Ugen Tashi Bhutia, a graduate forester at the sanctuary, noted that the teens may have ignored sanctuary signs and opted for a shortcut rather than following the designated trail.
The search effort was a collaborative endeavor, involving staff from the Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, the Forest and Environment department, the Namchi district administration, local police and villagers, as well as the Indian Army.
One of the teenagers, Ashim Rai, expressed gratitude towards the authorities and volunteers for their efforts, describing the experience as both a “turning point” and “a lesson in disguise.” Authorities are now urging visitors to adhere to safety guidelines when entering wildlife areas to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
Original Source: https://www.sikkimexpress.com/news-details/five-teenagers-found-safe-after-going-missing-in-maenam-wildlife-sanctuary
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