In the wake of the ODRAF boat mishap at the Mundali barrage in Mahanadi in which a TV journalist died, the State Government would soon issue an SOP barring civilian and media personnel from being included in any rescue operation.
The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) 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 the Mundali barrage.
“I request Odisha DGP to review SOP and order no outsider, civilian or media, should be part of any rescue mission,” SRC Pradeep Jena said.
Notably, an ODRAF boat carrying eight persons including two media personnel of a vernacular 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 drowned. Though journalist Arindam Das and video journalist Pravat Sinha were fished out of the water, the former was declared brought dead at the SCB Medical College Hospital.
Following the mishap, the ODRAF was in line of fire with many social media users questioning why the media personnel were part of the rescue operation.
Meanwhile, police began an investigation to ascertain under what circumstances the mediapersons were allowed to board the boat.
