Bhubaneswar: Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik has expressed deep concern over the disappearance of merchant navy cadet Sarthak Mohapatra from Bhadrak district, who went missing near Malaysian waters on February 3.
Patnaik has appealed to the Central Government to expedite search efforts to rescue the 23-year-old cadet.
In a statement, Patnaik urged the Directorate General of Shipping, Govt. of India, and the Ministry of External Affairs to extend urgent assistance and coordinate with all stakeholders to support the family and expedite search efforts.
“I am deeply concerned about the disappearance of Cadet Sarthak Mohapatra from Odisha. My thoughts are with his family. I urge Directorate General of Shipping, Govt. of India and Ministry of External Affairs to extend urgent assistance and coordinate with all stakeholders to support the family and expedite search efforts. Praying for Sarthak’s safe return,” Patnaik wrote on ‘X’.
Meanwhile, the Odisha government has taken steps to locate Sarthak, who was serving as a maritime cadet with Anglo-Eastern Ship Management. Principal Resident Commissioner Vishal Gagan has written to four central departments, including the Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Secretary, Foreign Secretary, Home Secretary, and Shipping DG, seeking help in rescuing the missing cadet.
Sarthak was last seen entering his cabin on February 3, and his mother, Rashmita Mohapatra, had spoken to him via video call the previous day. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance are unclear.
