'Arjun's phone rang on Monday'; Family with bated breath for Thursday's final mission

KOZHIKODE: The Karnataka government confirmed finding Arjun’s truck in the Gangavali river, while his family is confounded about whether to rejoice or grieve over the news. Arjun’s wife Krishnapriya is still in high hopes about her husband surviving the disaster and returning home. More people reached Arjun’s house on Wednesday after news came about the officials spotting the truck.

On Wednesday, the rescue team found the truck submerged in water at least 70 m from the shore. The news was first confirmed by Karnataka Minister and later by the police SP. Arjun’s family were glued to the television screens when the news appeared. They are waiting with bated breath to know about the reality on Thursday morning.

The family already complained with Karnataka police about the lackadaisical approach of Shirur police when first informed about Arjun’s missing. It was only after the coalescence of the media and the immense support from the people of Kerala that the rescue operations gained momentum.

Krishnapriya’s high hopes of Arjun surviving the disaster remain untrammelled for a few reasons. When she randomly dialled, Arjun’s phone, which was earlier in switch-off mode, rang on Monday but the call went unanswered.

Army and Navy became part of the rescue operation as requested by the family. However, the hopes got dampened after the rescue team failed in front of the inclement weather and took nearly nine days to track the truck in the Gangavali River.

The family were disappointed over the rescue team's failure to find Arjun, despite using modern equipment and high-standard technologies. Arjun went to Karnataka on July 8 in a truck to load timber from Belgavi. On July 16th, he talked with Krishnapriya on the phone and later went untraceable.