A Kerala-origin techie, Sharanya, who had gone missing while trekking in the Tadiyandamol forest in Kodagu (Coorg), has been rescued following a coordinated effort by police, forest officials and tribal community members, with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar playing a key role in expediting the operation.
Sharanya had lost her way during a trek in Coorg and remained stranded in the forest for several days. Her mother approached Shivakumar during an election campaign rally in Orkkatteri and pleaded for help in locating her daughter.
Responding immediately, Shivakumar made calls from the stage to the Superintendent of Police in Coorg, forest officials and other authorities, instructing them to intensify the search operation. He also shared certain inputs to aid the rescue efforts.
Addressing a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday, Shivakumar said he had been campaigning in Kerala for the past two days when Sharanya’s mother met him and informed him about her daughter’s disappearance.
“I immediately contacted our state officials and tribal leaders right from the stage. Even yesterday morning, media friends had asked me about this matter. By the grace of Ayyappa Swami and Mother Chamundeshwari, a team of around 170 people, comprising our forest officials, police, and tribal community members, engaged in the search operation and located Sharanya,” he said.
He added that Sharanya had spent an entire day in heavy rain without food, surviving only on water, and praised her courage in handling the situation despite being stranded in the forest.
The rescue operation, involving around 170 personnel, ultimately succeeded on Sunday evening when Sharanya was found. Shivakumar congratulated all officials and members of the tribal community involved in the operation for their efforts in ensuring her safe rescue.
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