Berhampur: A 72-year-old woman who had gone missing during a tour under a government launched pilgrimage scheme February 15 was rescued Thursday.
The rescued woman, Laxmi Behera, is a resident of Dura village under Rangeilunda block in Ganjam district.
The woman’s relatives spotted her in a critical condition besides Tiruchinapalli Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Tamil Nadu.
The elderly woman was among the 1,060 pilgrims who embarked on a journey from Berhampur to the southern states of India as part of Barishtha Nagarika Tirtha Yojana (senior citizen pilgrimage scheme).
As Laxmi did not return along with other pilgrims to Berhampur February 20, her family members tried to contact the agent. However, they alleged that they could not reach the agent on his number.
“The agent had assured that she will return home safely but now his phone is switched off. We were worried so, we went to the tourist site and searched for her. After hours of search, we found her near the hospital,” Laxmi’s son, Bijay Behera, said adding that the local police and the pilgrimage agents did not extend any help in tracing his mother.
According to the fellow pilgrims, while going to Tamil Nadu’s Ranganath temple, Laxmi had gone missing in the crowd following which they had informed the agent. However, the agent had allegedly ignored their alarms.
“I asked the bus driver to stop the vehicle saying that Laxmi had not returned, but the bus left without her,” Laxmi’s neighbour, Kautuki Behera, who had accompanied her in the tour alleged.
Meanwhile, sub-Collector of Berhampur, Digant Samantaray, assured that action will be taken against those who are responsible for the incident.
PNN