Missing trekkers: Locals to be part of search operation

With hopes now fading for two missing French trekkers, Marcel Gorges and Francois - with each passing day, the Himachal police are considering to involve locals- especially from Gaddi (shepherd) community in the search operation.

With hopes now fading for two missing French trekkers, Marcel Gorges and Francois - with each passing day, the Himachal police are considering to involve locals- especially from Gaddi (shepherd) community in the search operation.

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The two backpackers in their early 20s had gone for trekking along with their friends to Triund area on August 22, but have not been seen since then. “We are considering to involve locals in the search operation as they are more familiar with the hills,” said additional superintendent of police (ASP), Kangra, Mohit Chawla.

He said the rescue team comprising policemen and local trekkers had been searching the hills for the past 10 days, but they could not succeed.

Chawla also held a meeting with the French Consulate who is in Dharamsala to supervise the rescue operation and told him about involving the locals in the search operation. Meanwhile, the bad weather again hampered the rescue operations on Monday. The Indian Army's Chitah helicopter could not take sortie due to rain and dense fog in high hills above Triund area.