ERNAKULAM/KAVARATTI: Twelve days after a patrol boat carrying three Lakshadweep Police personnel capsized in the lagoon off Suheli Island, two officers remain missing and their families have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for central assistance and the resumption of large-scale search operations.
Incident and immediate response
The incident took place on 11 August when a small fibre craft engaged in border-security and anti-smuggling patrols under Kavaratti Police Station capsized amid strong winds and rough sea conditions. Of the three officers on board, K K Ummar (a resident of Amini Island) reached shore by swimming; the other two—K C Hidayathulla of Androth Island and K M Nabeel of Kavaratti Island—were swept away by powerful waves and have not been located since.
Initial searches were mounted by Lakshadweep Police and local fishermen, but families and local activists say the active on-site effort has been suspended and no further updates on the status of the two missing officers have been provided.
Families seek central help
Relatives of the missing officers have submitted a petition to the Prime Minister's Office requesting urgent intervention and the immediate deployment of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard with advanced search-and-rescue equipment. They have asked for modern technology to be used to locate the men and for clear information on what steps are being taken.
"The family is devastated by the lack of information. Our parents continue to wait and pray for his safe return," said Naseeb, brother of K M Nabeel, urging authorities to deploy modern equipment and provide answers.
Local social worker Sabith P K of Kadamath Island told reporters that, to his knowledge, no active search was currently underway at the site and that the initial effort involving police and fishermen had been called off.
Search operations and jurisdictional issues
The area around Suheli Island is part of the Union Territory's lagoon system, and incidents at sea may involve multiple agencies depending on the scale of the response required. The families' plea for Navy and Coast Guard deployment highlights the limits of local resources in extended maritime search operations, especially when underwater detection or broad-area sweeps are needed.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of incident | 11 August |
| Missing officers | K C Hidayathulla (Androth), K M Nabeel (Kavaratti) |
| Survivor | K K Ummar (Amini) |
| Initial responders | Lakshadweep Police, local fishermen |
Local reaction and concerns
Relatives and community members have expressed anguish and frustration at what they describe as a halt in active searches. Their concerns include the lack of transparent communication about when and why initial efforts were stood down, and whether sub-surface search tools such as sonar or remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) have been considered or deployed.
Community representatives have also underlined the hazardous conditions in lagoon patrols, particularly when small fibre boats are used in high winds. They called for a review of patrol practices and safety equipment for officers assigned to maritime duties.
What families are asking for
- Immediate resumption of a coordinated search involving the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.
- Deployment of advanced detection equipment suitable for underwater searches.
- Transparent updates from authorities on search status and timelines.
At the time of reporting, there was no public confirmation from the Lakshadweep administration, the Navy or the Coast Guard about any new search deployments since the families submitted the petition to the Prime Minister's Office. The police station in Kavaratti remains the focal point for family inquiries and official coordination.
The absence of positive leads a dozen days after the capsizing has left relatives seeking both practical assistance and answers about the procedures followed in maritime patrols and post-incident search decisions.
Further developments, including official responses from the Lakshadweep administration or central maritime agencies, are awaited.
