Thiruvananthapuram, 27 Oct (H.S.): The search for 17-year-old Shivasurya, who went missing from Kariyad near Panoor in Kannur district in August, has been intensified across Kerala and neighbouring states, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala informed the Assembly.

Replying to a question from Koothuparamba MLA P.K. Praveen, the minister outlined the investigation and said police were pursuing information received from several locations to trace the teenager.

Shivasurya, son of Jigeesh of Shivapriyam at Puliyanambram in Kariyad, went missing on August 8, 2026. Chokli police registered a case that day. On August 16, the Kannur City Police Commissioner constituted a special investigation team headed by Assistant Superintendent of Police Dr. Nandagopan M.

Wireless alerts and identification cards carrying the teenager’s photograph were circulated to every police station in Kerala. Investigators searched key locations in Peringathur, Chokli, Thalassery, Panoor and Nadapuram, and examined CCTV footage from railway stations and bus stands without finding anything suspicious.

The teenager’s mobile phone and his father’s handset underwent detailed forensic examination with assistance from the cyber cell. Police also gathered information from classmates, friends, teachers and school authorities.

An August 11 report of a possible sighting near Ottapalam prompted searches at Shoranur railway station, Ottapalam, Thiruvilwamala and nearby bus stands. Separate teams checked leads from Mangaluru, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kollam and Mysuru.

In Mysuru, officers searched transport hubs and crowded public places and displayed missing-person notices.

A Kannur K-9 tracker dog followed a trail approximately 1.5 kilometres from the teenager’s home to near a Muslim League office at P.A. Mohammed Haji Soudham.

Police are examining a woman’s statement that she saw Shivasurya carrying a schoolbag near a flour mill at Balanpeedika around 12.45 p.m. on August 8.

Chennithala said police chiefs in other states and railway police had been alerted, while publicity through news outlets and social media continued alongside technology-assisted searches.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman