Varanasi: An Indian Merchant Navy officer, Manish Dwivedi, a native of Mirzapur, has been missing mysteriously from a port in Pennsylvania, USA, since May 6. Accusing the ship management company of not providing clear information, his distressed family met local MP and Union minister Anupriya Patel in Delhi on May 11.
Family Seeks Government Intervention
Anupriya sent a letter to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on May 12 to ensure Manish is traced, said his father Santosh Dwivedi. Manish serves as second officer with Western Shipping Company onboard the Singapore-flagged vessel ‘Sifnos Lady’.
On May 6 evening, when the vessel docked at Marcus Hook Port, Philadelphia, US, Manish went on shore leave along with three colleagues to the Concord Mall Best Buying area. Since then, he has been untraceable. He did not contact his family or colleagues. Despite continuous efforts by fellow crew members and authorities, no information regarding his whereabouts has been received so far, said Dwivedi.
Letter to MEA
In her letter, Anupriya said the prolonged absence of Manish and the uncertainty surrounding his safety has caused immense anguish, fear, and emotional distress to his family, who are anxiously waiting for news about their son’s well-being. His parents are deeply shaken and are looking forward to the government with hope and faith in this extremely difficult time.
“I shall be grateful if you could kindly direct the Embassy of India in the US to extend all possible assistance and coordinate with the concerned local authorities for tracing Manish at the earliest and ensuring his safety and well-being. Any timely intervention in the matter would provide much-needed solace and reassurance to the distressed family,” she added.
Family’s Ordeal
Manish’s family said they last spoke to him on May 6, after which all communication stopped. Dwivedi said they became aware that Manish was missing when his company’s Mumbai office gave them a phone call. It was reported that the other three colleagues who accompanied him returned to the vessel, but Manish did not.
Dwivedi said during a previous call, the company had stated that Manish had been found and was safe, but their anxiety rose on learning that the vessel had reportedly sailed ahead without Manish onboard.
