Malappuram deputy tahsildar's disappearance sparks fears of soil mining mafia involvement

Tirur:

The disappearance of P.B. Chalib, a deputy tahsildar from the Tirur Taluk office, has raised serious concerns, with his family fearing the involvement of the local soil mining mafia. Chalib had recently conducted a survey in Irimbiliyam, Malappuram, addressing soil mining issues along the National Highway. His relative, Pradeep, has suggested that the mafia might be responsible, citing the threatening messages and phone calls Chalib received in connection to his work in the Revenue Department. However, it is still unclear whether his disappearance is directly linked to his official duties or the recent raid.

What Happened?

Chalib, a resident of Mangattiri in Tirur, was last seen on Wednesday evening around 5:15 pm when he left his office. He had mentioned to his colleagues that he would return late, but by 11:00 pm, he had not returned home. His family subsequently filed a missing person report with the Tirur Police.

Investigation Underway

Chalib’s phone, which went offline at 12:18 am, briefly reconnected at 6:55 am. Initial data suggested that his phone may have been in the Palayam area of Kozhikode. However, no further updates were received, and the phone was later traced to Udupi in Karnataka. This finding led the police to extend their investigation into the neighbouring state.

Tirur Sub-Collector Dileep K. Kainikkara visited Chalib’s home to gather additional information. Police have also recorded statements from his family. The investigation is ongoing, with police exploring all possible leads.

In a recent development, it was reported that Chalib managed to contact his wife, reassuring her that he is safe and will return home soon.