No intention to halt search for Arjun, says K'taka MLA

Karnataka: Karwar MLA Satish Krishna Sail announced on Sunday that the Karnataka government is committed to continuing the search for Arjun, a Kerala native who went missing in a landslide in Shirur, Karnataka.

He also informed that the government has plans to bring an equipment from Thrissur district in Kerala to aid in the search operation. Speaking to Mathrubhumi News Super Prime Time, Sail said that Karnataka is prepared to cover the entire cost of delivering this device.

A message was sent to the Thrissur Collector at 11 a.m. on Sunday about delivering the equipment, which is with Kerala Agricultural University. He also shared this message as evidence and expressed readiness to pay the necessary money immediately.

MLA AKM Ashraf stated that he had also spoken to the Thrissur District Collector about the equipment's delivery. Additionally, MLA M Vijin discussed the issue with Minister Mohammad Riyas. However, Ashraf noted that the Karwar MLA and the District Collector wanted to ensure the device's suitability for use in Shiroor.

Authorities are hopeful that the machine's arrival will enable them to remove the soil under the river. Ashraf mentioned plans to use the machine to clear soil from four suspected locations and check them.

Earlier, the Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to his counterpart in Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, requesting that his government continue the rescue operations to find Arjun.

In the letter, Vijayan said his government appreciates the efforts taken by the teams engaged in the search-and-rescue operations to find the missing person. There have been reports that search operations have been stopped, he said, adding, "I earnestly urge you to give directions to continue the rescue operations till they yield positive results."

CM Vijayan also requested that the operations be continued with augmented strength and using all needed equipment.

Following reports of the search possibly being temporarily halted, Kerala MLAs had criticised the decision. Minister Riyas stated that the search was stopped without consulting Kerala. In respons. It is after this, Satish Krishna Sail provided a direct explanation on the matter.