Gangavali flows calm after historic 71-day search for Arjun: What united us in grief?

Ankola / Kozhikode: For 71 long days, the search for Arjun, who is now believed to be deceased, had been a symbol of hope and determination in the face of despair. The family’s plea to not end the search without finding him resonated deeply, leading to support from both the Karnataka and Kerala governments, as well as various rescue teams and volunteers.

The mission to locate Arjun involved countless volunteers and organisations, including the Navy, Army, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Even Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took the time to visit Shiroor to assess the situation firsthand. Ministers from Kerala, such as P A Mohammed Riyas, A K Saseendran, and MP M K Raghavan joined the efforts, camping at the site to show solidarity. MLAs, political leaders and local volunteers flocked in, driven by compassion and a shared sense of purpose.

Initially, the search focused on the landslide area along the national highway for over a week. When it became clear that neither Arjun nor his lorry were there, efforts shifted to the Gangavali river. Despite numerous attempts, including search by Navy divers, the strong current made recovery nearly impossible. The Navy eventually had to abandon the search, unable to cope with the challenging conditions.

Then came Eshwar Malpe, a fisherman and diver who bravely joined the mission. While diving, he discovered parts of wood, ropes and jacky livers, but the treacherous waters and accumulated debris made it difficult to reach the riverbed. The search efforts faced another setback due to the high costs associated with using a dredger, estimated at around Rs 1 crore. Questions about who would cover this expense lingered, causing frustration among those involved.

However, hope was rekindled when Arjun's family met with the Chief Minister, who listened to their concerns. While the family feared that Arjun was no longer alive, their main worry was whether his body could be recovered and what had happened to the lorry, which had been washed away.

Karwar MLA led the search

Karwar MLA Satish Krishna Sail had been at the forefront of the search for Arjun since it began, dedicating his mornings to the mission and returning each evening to coordinate efforts from the site. He remarked to the media that he has never worked this hard, even during elections, and emphasised that his commitment would not waver even if Arjun were found, as two more individuals from Karnataka still needed to be located. Addressing criticism of the mission, he stated, “What we did here was not for fun. Some claimed it was just a distraction and a waste of resources, but we are doing our job, and it will continue for our people.” He also expressed gratitude to the media in Kerala for their support, urging for continued cooperation and acknowledging their exceptional coverage of the situation.

Eshwar Malpe ends search after multiple attempts

Ishwar Malpe stepped forward as a determined volunteer after hearing that Arjun and his lorry might be hidden in the depths of the Gangavali River. Confident yet apprehensive, he was driven to help bring closure to the grieving family. Ishwar first dived into the river on July 28 but, despite eight attempts, he was unable to reach the depths. During his third dive, the rope broke, causing him to drift about 100 metres until the Navy and NDRF rescued him. The mission faced another setback on the twelfth day due to the swift river current. On August 5, he attempted to return but was halted by police due to high water flow. When the search resumed later, he discovered parts of another lorry but ultimately ended the mission, citing a lack of support from the authorities. Earlier, he had visited Arjun's family to offer comfort and assured them he would do his best to bring Arjun back. However, the other day, he concluded his efforts in Shiroor by apologising to the family.

Jithin's determination in the search for Arjun

“This was the last search for us. There was a belief that Arjun could be found in this,” Jithin, the husband of Arjun's sister Anju, expressed with a mix of sadness and relief. He remained in Shiroor, determined not to return without finding Arjun, coming home only once or twice during the 71 days when the search was paused. “Arjun was more than just my wife’s brother; we shared a bond where we could talk about anything. When Arjun went missing on July 16, there was no confirmation of what happened to his lorry, but we suspected it had drifted away in the afternoon. Hope lingered, but by nightfall, I felt something was wrong. I left for Shiroor that night. Despite numerous challenges, I never felt discouraged or considered going back; we held on to the belief that we could find him. If only the lorry was found, I was prepared to accept that at least parts of his body could be recovered for funeral rites,” Jitin shared. He acknowledged the ongoing support from the state government and leaders like MP M K Raghavan, MP K C Venugopal and MLA A K M Ashraf, who continually intervened to assist the search efforts.

A timeline of events in the search for Arjun

• July 16: Arjun's lorry, carrying acacia trees from Belgaum in Karnataka, is hit by a landslide near Shiroor on the Panvel-Kanyakumari highway.
• July 17: His wife Krishnapriya files a missing person complaint with the Chevayur Police. Confirmation of his disappearance among ten others, including a roadside shop owner in Shiroor.
• July 18: A search attempt is made by removing soil.
• July 19: The search intensifies after Arjun's family appears before the media.
• July 20: The Surathkal NITK team conducts radar checks, while disaster management teams work to remove rocks and soil.
• July 21: The Army joins the search at the family's request. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah visits. It is confirmed that the lorry is not buried on the road but is in the river.
• July 22: Search efforts expand to the river.
• July 23: A woman's body is found in the river, and radar signals believed to be from the lorry are detected, but the undercurrent hampers further search.
• July 24: The Karnataka Revenue Minister announces the lorry's location is found 20 metres from the shore.
• July 25: Major Indrabalan leads an inspection of the river. The lorry's signal is detected 60 metres away, with metal presence noted at four locations.
• July 26: Strong undercurrents in the river make searching difficult.
• July 27: Drone inspections reveal the lorry is 132 metres from the shore. Fishermen, led by Eshwar Malpe, conduct additional inspections.
• July 28: The search continues, but no significant findings are made, leading to a temporary halt.
• August 4-5: A planned search is cancelled due to strong undercurrents; the Karnataka High Court orders the continuation of search efforts.
• August 12: The Navy decides to resume the search for Arjun.
• August 13: Search operations begin; parts of the lorry's jacky lever and door are recovered by Eshwar Malpe.
• August 16: The rope from Arjun's lorry is found, but it is determined that the metal parts recovered do not belong to his lorry.
• August 17: The search is temporarily suspended, pending the arrival of a dredger from Goa.
• August 28: Arjun's family meets with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to urge the resumption of the search. Assurance is given that the dredger's costs will be covered.
• August 29 - September 19: The family continues to wait with worry, confusion, and hope.
• September 20: The search resumes in the river using the dredger, and a metal part of a lorry is found. Eshwar Malpe reaches the site.
• September 21: A tire and other lorry parts are found, but the owner confirms they do not belong to Arjun's lorry. The search focuses on three points suggested by the Navy.
• September 22: A bone fragment, believed not to be human, and a scooter are discovered. Eshwar Malpe temporarily backs out due to disagreements with the district administration and police.
• September 23: Part of Arjun's lorry is found, including the bundle of rope and a wooden piece that were in the vehicle.
• September 24: Additional parts of the tanker are recovered, with inspections focusing on previously marked points by Major General Indrabalan.
• September 25: Arjun's lorry and body parts are found in the cabin, bringing an end to the two-and-a-half-month wait for his family.

Search will continue on Thursday

Ten people, including Arjun, were missing after the landslide. The bodies of seven have already been recovered, and now the search focuses on finding Lokesh and Jagannath, both from Karnataka. Karwar MLA Satish Krishna Sale announced that the search for them will continue on Thursday.

Minister Mohammed Riyas expresses gratitude

Minister P A Mohammed Riyas expressed gratitude to the Karnataka Government, district administration and all those who helped in the search for Arjun, stating they hold a special place in Kerala’s hearts. He emphasised that Arjun represents more than just an individual; he symbolises the collective sentiment of Malayalis worldwide. Riyas noted that Malayalis united for a man they had never met, and that the government had stood by Arjun's family from the very beginning.

MP M K Raghavan thanks Karnataka Government and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah

MP M K Raghavan thanked the Karnataka Government and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for leading the 72-day search for Arjun. He praised Siddaramaiah for visiting the site and engaging with officials despite challenging weather conditions. While saddened by Arjun's death, Raghavan expressed relief that his body has finally been found.

Malayalam actors Mammootty and Mohanlal have also paid tribute to Arjun. Actress Manju Warrier was among those who expressed shock and sadness upon hearing the news that Arjun's remains were found inside the lorry he was travelling in.

Meanwhile, the mortal remains found in the lorry has been transferred to the North Kannada District Hospital. Dakshina Kannada DC K Lakshmi Priya announced that a DNA test will be conducted to confirm the identity of the deceased. Once it is confirmed that the body is of Arjun, the mortal remains would be handed over to the relatives, she added.