Kozhikode: After an agonizing wait of over two months, the mortal remains of Arjun, a truck driver who went missing in a devastating landslide at Shirur, Karnataka, finally arrived at his hometown in Kozhikode on Saturday. Arjun, who had been swept into the Gangavali River during the landslide on July 16, was discovered on Wednesday, 72 days later. His remains were transported from Karwar Government Medical College Hospital to his residence in Kannadikkal, Kozhikode, in an ambulance.
A large crowd gathered at Kannadikkal junction on Saturday morning to pay their last respects. Arjun’s body reached his home by 9 a.m., where it was displayed for an hour for public viewing. The funeral is scheduled to take place at his residence. Items recovered from his truck, including two phones, personal belongings, and a toy intended for his son, will be handed over to his family. Minister A K Saseendran accompanied the remains, with other ministers like KP Mohammad Riyas and MP K Raghavan expected to attend the funeral.
Karwar MLA Satish Krishna Sail also accompanied the procession, delivering an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh from the Karnataka government to Arjun’s mother. Fellow truck drivers paid homage by joining the ambulance procession, a mark of respect for their fallen colleague. Arjun leaves behind his wife Krishnapriya, young son, and other grieving family members.
