MALAPPURAM: Parappanangadi Chudalaparambu native Sabaruddheen was a role model for many of his colleagues in the police department. The 38-year-old police officer was one among the 22 people who died in the Tanur boat tragedy. After the incident, one of the questions raised was why did Sabaruddheen travel in the boat.
Though the police department kept mum on the question on Monday, it revealed the purpose of his travel on Tuesday.
The head of the special investigation team Sujith Das said Sabaruddheen was on duty while travelling in the boat. “He was part of the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force, Tanur team. He was travelling as part of a narcotic-related investigation,” he said.
Sabaruddheen's colleague said he was a brilliant and dedicated officer. His demise has put his colleagues in deep sorrow.
No new bodies found
The authorities conducted a rescue operation in the Poorapuzha River where the boat capsized on Tuesday to ensure that no victim is trapped in the river. Several teams of Fire and Rescue Services, NDRF, RRRF and Indian Navy conducted searches in Poorapuzha.
A senior fire and rescue official, Moosa Vadakkethil, said the search was carried out on the day because of doubt that people from other states might have travelled in the boat. However, the rescue officers could not find any new bodies from the river on the day.
“We are searching whether anyone is trapped inside the mud in the river. We think all victims of the accident have been taken out of the river. The rescue operation might not be continued tomorrow,” he said.