Malkangiri: A minor boy went missing while taking bath on the banks of Poteru river under Kalimela block in Malkangiri block in Malkangiri district, Thursday.
The missing boy has been identified as Rakesh Mandal son of Rajesh Mandal of Venkatpalam village of the block.
Sources said that Rakesh had recently completed his Plus II studies. The teen had gone to the Poteru river bank with his friends for picnicking. Meanwhile Rakesh slipped into deep water and was swept away by the strong currents.
Though some eyewitnesses jumped into the river to rescue the boy, they failed to trace him.
Getting information, fire service personnel reached the spot and launched a rescue operation to trace out the missing boy.
As per available information, the search operation is still on.
It is suspected that the teenager might have drowned in the river since he did not know how to swim.
PNN