Kannur (Kerala): The police have launched an extensive search within and outside the State to apprehend criminal accused Arjun Ayanki. Investigation teams have expanded their search operations as Ayanki continues issuing online provocations despite days of ongoing manhunts. The efforts to track him down are part of 'Operation Grip', a statewide crackdown against rowdies and gangsters.

Ayanki has been evading law enforcement by changing vehicles frequently and misleading officers using mobile phone locations. Although reports suggested his presence in Thrissur recently, police were unable to locate him. Following this, officers took his brother, Akhil, into custody. Search operations were also extended to Palakkad without success. To the embarrassment of the police, Ayanki has been posting on social media claiming his exact locations at the very moment searches are conducted.

Police suspect that Ayanki’s friends are aiding his hideout efforts. Ayanki, who is accused in several cases including gold robbery, commands a large network of followers and friends online and offline, which officers believe is helping him remain at large. Consequently, police taken six of his friends alongside his brother Akhil into custody over recent days. However, questioning them has yielded no concrete leads regarding his current location. His arrested friends were later on Saturday granted bail.

Investigators also examined CCTV footage from prospective locations, securing footage of Ayanki crossing the Paliyekkara Toll Plaza. However, his practice of switching vehicles continuously has confounded the investigation team, breaking the continuity of CCTV tracking.

Meanwhile, investigating officers suspect that Ayanki may have left Kerala and have expanded their search to neighbouring states.

Ayanki's mobile tower location was last traced within the Amalanagar limits. However, he remains active on social media platforms. Police are investigating whether an associate is managing his social media accounts. If so, officers hope tracing the account operator could lead them to Ayanki's location.

The Home Department has reportedly instructed police to adopt any necessary measures to capture Ayanki. Reports recently emerged that officers were permitted to use weapons if necessary.

Responding to these developments on Facebook, Ayanki wrote, "The pain of one who is wounded, whose dreams are shattered, whose life is derailed, and who is denied the chance to hold and cherish his own son will turn into hatred and revenge; thereafter, he is not even scard to die, and even if shot in the knee, he will not surrender."

Furthermore, Ayanki issued challenges against the Home Department and the Home Minister. Meanwhile, a fresh case has been registered against Ayanki by the Ernakulam Rural Cyber Police for allegedly insulting Chief Minister V D Satheesan. The Cyber Police registered the FIR suo motu, citing attempts to incite rioting.