Kannadikkal Mourns: The Long and Arduous Search for Arjun Comes to a Close

Akash Deep -

After a grueling 72 days, the family of Arjun, a 30-year-old truck driver from Kannadikkal in Kozhikode, Kerala, has finally found closure. Arjun went missing on July 16 when a landslide swept his Bharat Benz truck into the Gangavali River at Shirur in Karnataka's Uttara Kannada district.

On the morning of July 16, Arjun, who was ferrying timber from Belagavi, halted his truck on the Panvel-Kanyakumari National Highway near the Karnataka-Goa border. The landslide, triggered by heavy rains, buried several vehicles and people, including Arjun's truck, under a thick layer of soil and debris. The search operation began three days later, involving multiple agencies such as the Army, Navy, NDRF, Fire Force, and police, along with volunteers from Kerala.

Challenges and Setbacks

The search was fraught with challenges, including heavy rains, strong river currents, and low visibility in the muddy waters. Despite these obstacles, the rescue teams persisted, using sophisticated equipment like deep search detectors, long boom excavators, and dredger vessels. However, the operations were temporarily suspended after 13 days due to unfavorable conditions, prompting criticism and protests from Arjun's family and the Kerala government.

Resumption and Final Discovery

The search resumed recently as the water current in the river slowed down, following appeals from Arjun's family and interventions by Kerala government officials, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and MP M.K. Raghavan. The efforts were also supported by AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, who influenced Karnataka government authorities to continue the search.

On September 25, 2024, Arjun's truck was finally pulled out of the river using a crane of a dredger, and his decomposed body was found inside the crushed cabin. The body was identified through personal possessions found in the truck cabin, although a DNA test was conducted to confirm the identity.

Community Support and Tributes

Throughout the ordeal, Arjun's family received widespread support from all sections of society. The Vengeri Service Cooperative Bank in Kozhikode offered a job to Arjun’s wife, K Krishnapriya. Several marches and protests were organized in solidarity, demanding the continuation of the search operations. Notable figures from the Malayalam film industry, including Mohanlal, Mammootty, and Manju Warrier, also paid tributes to Arjun, reflecting the widespread emotional impact of his disappearance.

Final Farewell

The mortal remains of Arjun were handed over to his relatives after the completion of formalities, including a DNA test. The body was transported to his home in Kannadikkal, where preparations were made for the final farewell. The remains were displayed at his house for about an hour for the public to pay their last respects before the cremation, which took place in the compound of the house.

Government Support

The Karnataka government announced a solatium of ₹5 lakhs for Arjun's family, which was handed over to his mother by Karwar MLA Satheesh Krishna Sail. This gesture was part of the broader support extended by the Karnataka government, which worked closely with Kerala authorities to ensure the search operations continued despite numerous challenges.

The tragic wait for Arjun's family has finally come to an end, but the memory of his hardworking spirit and the community's unwavering support will endure. As Arjun's family and the people of Kannadikkal bid their final farewell, they do so with a sense of closure and gratitude for the efforts that ensured every human life is valued and remembered.

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