Locals protest for Arjun, rescue operations in crucial phase; will be airlifted if found

MANGULURU: The rescue operations to find Arjun (30), the driver who went missing with his lorry following a landslide at Shirur in Ankola, is in the crucial phase. The army is expected to reach any time soon. A 40-member team from the Belagavi camp is arriving for the rescue operations. If those trapped are found, they will be airlifted soon. Will also seek the help of the navy for the mission. Arjun’s family had the other day sent an e-mail message to the Prime Minister seeking the deployment of the army.

The locals of Kannadikkal protested seeking to expedite the rescue operations. Arjun’s relative Jithin alleged a delay in the search in the beginning. He said that eyewitnesses said that they saw the lorry in the place 20 minutes before the landslide.

Meantime, Ankola MLA informed that Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is expected to reach the place at 2.30 pm. Heavy rains and strong winds are posing a threat to the rescue operations. There was heavy rain in Shirur last night as well.

There was an earlier indication that a part of the vehicle had been found, but it was later confirmed that it was not. The navy, which conducted the search, has confirmed that the truck Arjun was driving has not fallen into the river. It is reported that fifty meters of soil has to be removed to reach the place where the lorry is believed to be lying. This mound is about six meters high. 150 meters of soil has been shifted.