THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: One of the 27 farmers sent by the state agriculture department to study modern farming trends in Israel, has gone missing. Biju Kurian (48) a farmer from Kannur, who was in this group, has gone missing. He went missing on February 17 from the Herzliya Hotel where the group was staying. The group came out to board a bus to go to another place to have food. While boarding the bus from here, others realized that Biju was missing. Meantime, the members of the team said that Biju came out of the hotel with the bag containing his passport.

It was initially said the agriculture minister would lead the group to Israel to study agriculture. However, due to some political reasons B Ashok, principal secretary of agriculture department, led the team. He has informed the government and the Indian Embassy officials about the farmer's disappearance. The Israeli police have started an investigation into the incident. The group of farmers including Biju is allowed to stay in Israel till May 8. Visas were granted at the request of the government. The flight expenses were borne by Biju.