Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 15 April 2024
In a remarkable display of determination and coordination, the Andaman and Nicobar Police successfully traced a missing tourist from Kerala who had disappeared into the dense jungles of Shaheed Dweep for seven days.
The ordeal began on April 8, 2024, when authorities at Shaheed Dweep Police Station received distressing news that a tourist had not returned to his resort since the morning of April 7. It was reported that the tourist, whose identity remains undisclosed, had set out on a cycling excursion before dawn on April 7 towards Neil Kendra.
Responding swiftly, a dedicated team was assembled to embark on the search mission. Utilising CCTV footage, investigators determined that the missing individual had been cycling towards Neil Kendra around 4 a.m. on April 7. This crucial detail prompted search efforts to focus on the jungles surrounding Neil Kendra, with the assistance of the Police Marine Force and local fishermen.
After days of relentless combing through the thick foliage, a breakthrough occurred on April 11, when the tourist’s bicycle was discovered deep within the jungle. Undeterred by the challenges posed by the scorching heat and dense vegetation, the search intensified with the deployment of a Police Tracker Dog, augmenting the efforts of the police teams.
Despite the gruelling conditions, the search operation continued unabated, with the realisation of the urgency of time driving the team forward. Finally, on April 14, 2024, the missing tourist was located alive within the jungle. It was revealed that due to an underlying health condition, he had strayed into the forest on the early morning of April 7 and subsequently lost his way. Although dehydrated from the ordeal, his condition was reported as stable, and he was promptly attended to before being reunited with his father, who had rushed from Kerala upon learning of his son’s disappearance.
The successful operation was orchestrated under the adept leadership of Mr. Manasvi Vashisth, SDPO Swaraj Dweep, and SI Pradeep, SHO Shaheed Dweep, with overall supervision by Ms. Niharika Bhatt, IPS Superintendent of Police, South Andaman District.
In a statement following the rescue, authorities urged the public to report any information related to crimes or illegal activities to the police hotline at 112 or through the numbers 03192-232100 and 03192-236641, with assurances of confidentiality for informants.