Bargarh: Tension and anxiety have gripped Kansingha village and surrounding areas after two youths went missing in the Jhanjha Hills under Barihapali Panchayat in Padmapur sub-division of Bargarh district.
The missing youths have been identified as Raj Mallick and Ganesh Duduka.
As per reports, a group of nine youths from Kansingha village had gone to Kuthikhol, situated at the foothills of Jhanjha Hills on Tuesday. They went there for bathing and to enjoy the scenic natural surroundings. Later, the group decided to climb the hill. However, after some time, the two youths got separated from the others and could not be traced.
Following information from local residents, the Forest Department launched a massive search operation from Tuesday night itself. Forest officials, along with local villagers and volunteers, are continuing the search in the hilly and forested terrain.
As of the latest update, no trace of the two missing youths has been found despite the overnight search efforts.
Meanwhile, the families of the missing youths have appealed to the district administration and Forest Department to intensify the search and locate them at the earliest.
Till the last report came in, the search operation was underway to ascertain their whereabouts.
