GUWAHATI: Seven pilgrims from Baksa who had reportedly gone missing in Puri since Cyclone Fani struck the temple town in Odisha are said to be “safe” in their guest house there, family members have confirmed.
Baksa district administration sources told the media on Monday evening that few relatives of the pilgrims belonging to Kharuajan village under Barama revenue circle have confirmed that they were “safe at Sankar Mandir, Odisha.”
Earlier, the district administration took steps to look into the veracity of a media report of the pilgrims from the district going missing in Puri since Cyclone Fani struck the temple town in Odisha on May 3.
According to the media report, the elderly pilgrims, including women, belonging to Kharuajan revenue village under Barama circle, had gone to Puri on April 28. Kanchan Barman, Golapi Barman, Kiran Barman, Lakhya Barman, Braja Barman, Tilu Barman and Kunja Barman
“We have asked our circle officer to visit their family members in the revenue village and verify the news. As reported, two of them had contacted their family members on May 3,” additional deputy commissioner, Baksa, D.K. Bothra told The Shillong Times on Monday afternoon.
Later, the circle officer, Barama, S. Khan told the media that he has assured the family members of the pilgrims of all help from the district administration in regard to their safe return to the village.
Meanwhile, efforts are on from the state government to bring all the stranded pilgrims to Assam from Puri even as a batch of 34 pilgrims was safely brought here through special trains via Kolkata on Saturday.
State officials are in touch with the Odisha government to facilitate safe transport of all pilgrims and tourists to the state.