Cuttack family stranded in Kashmir seeks safe return
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Bhubaneswar: Four of a family from Cuttack, who had gone on a pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi temple, are stranded in Kashmir amid the recent firing from Pakistan. The family is currently staying in Army quarters.The group includes Awhan Panda (25), his father, Prasanna Panda (45), his younger brother, Aklanta Panda (17), and cousin Satyajeet Panda (16), all residents of Rajendra Nagar area in Cuttack.
They had left Cuttack on May 6, with plan to return to Delhi by May 10. However, the sudden eruption of violence across the Valley has thrown their plans into disarray. Speaking over the phone to TOI, Awhan said, "We came only for darshan at Vaishno Devi but never expected to get caught in such a situation. We are thankful to the Indian Army for sheltering us, but we are terrified and uncertain about how and when we will return." "For the past 13 years, we have been visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine in May, we never had a problem but this time it was a horrific experience," added Awhan. Aklanta said, "We hear gunfire and sirens often. It's very scary at night. We can't step out and have no contact with anyone from the Odisha govt yet. We just want to go home safely." The Pandas claimed they have not been contacted or informed about any concrete evacuation plans. The family is currently relying on limited communication facilities and army rations. While the Army continues to ensure their safety, they have appealed to both the state and central govts to arrange for their safe return. Vishal Gagan, resident commissioner of Odisha, said, "Our priority is the swift and safe evacuation of the Panda family. We are in continuous touch with our counterparts in Jammu & Kashmir. A special train has been arranged from Jammu. They will return to Delhi by Sunday evening and transportation will be arranged to bring them back to Cuttack," he added.
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