Former ICAR chief Ayyappan found dead in Cauvery river

In Karnataka, former Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Padma Shri awardee, Subbanna Ayyappan, has been found dead in the Cauvery river near Srirangapatna, Mandya, about 20 km from Mysuru, Police said. People found his body floating in the river on Saturday and it was retrieved, they added. Ayyappan (70) was an agriculture and fisheries (aquaculture) scientist, and was the first non-crop scientist to head the ICAR.A missing person's report was registered at Vidyaranyapuram police station in Mysuru on May 8. Seema Latkar, commissioner of police, Mysuru city, said an investigation was on to determine the reason behind the death.
Based on CCTV footage, police had traced Ayyappan's location to Srirangapatna and a search was conducted at all the meditation centres in the area, given his penchant for meditation. According to the police, Ayyappan had reached Srirangapatna on his two wheeler.According to police, his two-wheeler was found on the river bank and it is suspected that he might have jumped into the river. However, only investigation can determine the cause of his death, police said. Ayyappan, who is credited for playing a role in India's 'Blue Revolution', is survived by his wife and two daughters.

(State Correspondent)