Honeymoon Horror: Newly Married UP Couple Missing After Sikkim Trip - Families Demand Action

A honeymoon that began with joy has turned into a harrowing ordeal for a newly married couple from Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, who have been missing in Sikkim for the past 12 days. Kaushalendra Pratap Singh and his wife Ankita Singh disappeared after the vehicle they were traveling in plunged nearly 1,000 feet into the Teesta River on May 29.

Tragic Fall During Honeymoon

The couple, who tied the knot on May 5, had arrived in Sikkim on May 24 for their honeymoon. The accident occurred near Munsithang in Sikkim's Mangan district-a region known for its susceptibility to landslides and heavy rainfall. On the day of the incident, their vehicle, which was returning from Chungthang to Gangtok, skidded off a rain-soaked road and fell into the river below.

According to local authorities, the vehicle carried 11 tourists and a driver. While the death of the driver has been confirmed and three passengers have been rescued, eight others-including the UP couple and BJP Odisha Mahila Morcha secretary Itishree Jena-remain unaccounted for. Sikkim SP Sonam Detchu Bhutia noted that the vehicle remains buried under layers of debris and silt, making the search and rescue operation extremely challenging.

Family Appeals for High-Level Intervention

Kaushalendra's father, Sher Bahadur Singh, along with five other family members, has travelled to Sikkim to join and support search teams in the rescue effort. In a video message, he made a heartfelt appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, seeking urgent intervention to ramp up the rescue mission.

"We will not return from Sikkim without our children. All we ask for is help in locating them," Singh said emotionally.

Despite recovery of various items from the accident site, none have yet been confirmed to belong to Kaushalendra or Ankita.

Rescue Efforts Hindered by Adverse Conditions

Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Sikkim Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Forest Department, and the Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS) are involved in the ongoing operation. However, progress has been slow due to hostile weather, turbulent river currents, and unstable terrain in the landslide-affected area.

Accusations of Government Apathy

Dr. Ummed Singh 'Insaan', Kaushalendra's grandfather and a veteran BJP leader, expressed deep frustration over what he termed as government inaction. Criticising both the Uttar Pradesh and central administrations, he said, "Even after years of loyal service to the party, no one has come forward. The Odisha government's prompt response in a similar case puts this neglect into sharp contrast."

As the rescue operation enters its 12th day, hope still persists among the grieving families, who continue to wait by the river's edge, praying for a miracle.