Raikia: A 47-year-old teacher who had been missing since October 30 was rescued from a forest by Raikia police Saturday after a 15-day search operation.
The rescued teacher, identified as Mohan Maharana, teaches at Duba Primary School, located atop the remote Ghati hills in Indragarh panchayat under Raikia block of Kandhamala district. Maharana had reportedly gone missing after leaving the school October 30.
After efforts by his family to trace him proved unsuccessful, his brother and wife lodged a missing person complaint at Raikia police station. Police registered a case (16/2026) and launched an investigation.
A search operation was subsequently initiated by Raikia police station IIC A Swarnalata Patra, Sub-Inspector Sitaprasad Bisoyi and personnel of the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB), with assistance from local youths.
The search team eventually located Maharana in a forest near Ratangi, about 10 km from Landabali. He was found seriously ill and in a weakened condition, struggling to walk. Police personnel carried him on a sling for nearly 10 km through the forested terrain to bring him down the hill.
He was then shifted by ambulance to Raikia CHC for treatment.
