KOCHI: The search for two Lakshadweep police personnel who went missing after a boat accident near the uninhabited Suheli Island entered its 12th day on Saturday, with authorities deploying remote sensing technology and continuing search operations at sea.
Nabeel K M and Hidayathulla K C went missing after the patrol boat carrying them and another policeman met with an accident on August 11. Despite continued search efforts, there has been no breakthrough so far. A senior official of the Lakshadweep Administration said search operations are continuing with the use of remote sensing technology.
“Search operations are currently being carried out using remote sensing technology, but there has been no breakthrough so far. The police department has deployed several personnel in the area along with boats. A team equipped with remote sensing technology and other advanced equipment is currently involved in the search,” the official said.
The official said personnel from the police department have been deployed in the area along with boats, while a team equipped with remote sensing capabilities is involved in the ongoing search.
The three policemen had been deployed at the Suheli Island Police Outpost on August 1 for a 20-day stint. Since the uninhabited island has no regular boat facilities, they had been transported there by helicopter. They were the only police personnel stationed at the outpost.
According to police, the three left the outpost around 10am on August 11 for routine patrol duty. Their boat is believed to have met with an accident around noon amid strong currents. The policemen managed to hold on to rocks beneath the water for some time. However, a powerful wave eventually separated them and they were swept in different directions.
One of the three personnel was eventually carried by the current towards the island and managed to reach the shore.
The families of the two missing policemen have continued to seek an escalation of the search operation. Mohammed Naseeb, brother of Nabeel, said the family has sought the deployment of additional Navy and Coast Guard vessels and rescue helicopters.
