Italian tourists stray into restricted Bonda Ghati in Malkangiri

Malkangiri: The Malkangiri administration today traced an Italian couple in Bonda Ghati, which is off limits to foreigners. According to sources, the couple had strayed into the restricted area without permission.

As per reports, the couple, identified as Indico Sesodi and Frank Shakha had gone to the Bonda Ghati with an employee of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). However, some locals stopped them midway and informed the local police and the tehsildar.

After receiving information, the Additional Tehsildar of Khairaput reached the spot and rescued the couple. Later they were produced before the Project Director of the District Rural Development Authority (DRDA), Lingaraj Panda.

When being questioned, the couple informed that they did not have the required permission from the Home department to visit the Bonda Ghati.

“As there is a restriction on entry into Bonda area, locals stopped us at Mudulipada and asked us to go back. They told us it is very dangerous to venture into those areas,” said Sesodi.

Meanwhile, the Project Director of DRDA released the couple after questioning them briefly.

“Locals had stopped the Italian couple near Bonda Ghati and informed police and the Tehsildar. The local administration responded and brought the couple to me. They were released after their details were collected,” said Panda.