Odisha Govt to issue SOP prohibiting media personnel to be part of rescue operation

Bhubaneswar: In the wake of ODRAF boat tragedy at Mundali barrage in Mahanadi River in which a journalist died yesterday, Odisha Government will soon issue an SOP barring civilian and media personnel to take part in any rescue operation. 

Special Relief Commissioner informed it on Twitter while expressing grief over death of an ODRAF personnel, who had gone missing following capsize of boat engaged in rescue operation of an elephant stuck at Mundali barrage in Mahanandi River.

“I request Odisha DGP to review SOP and order no outsider, civilian or media should be part of any rescue mission,” SRC Pradeep Jena mentioned in a tweet today.

However, he apologized for the tweet in which he had informed that the body of missing ODRAF personnel was found near Dhabaleswar today.

The above info I shared about the missing ODRAF person as received from my office appears to be wrong. One decomposed body that is found is not identified by the family. Mr Murmu’s body not yet traced. Wrong info shared is deeply regretted.

— Pradeep Jena IAS (@PradeepJenaIAS) September 25, 2021

Yesterday, an ODRAF boat carrying as many as 8 persons including two media personnel of a regional news channel was engaged in rescue operation of a tusker trapped in floodwaters in Mundali barrage in Cuttack district.

During the operation, the boat unfortunately overturned in the river and all personnel drowned. Though journalist Arindam Das and video journalist Pravat Sinha, who were part of the rescue operation, were fished out of the water, the former was declared brought dead at the SCB Medical College & Hospital.

Also read: “Whirlpool Sucked Boat, Motor Stopped Working”: Rescued ODRAF Personnel Narrates Horrific Experience

The State Police initiated investigation to ascertain circumstances under which the journalists were allowed to board the boat.

Read: Journalist Arindam Das’ Death: Probe Begins Into ODRAF Boat Tragedy In Mahanandi