The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has now joined the extensive search for two-year-old Sunkara Gnaneswari, who vanished from a palm oil plantation in Andhra Pradesh's Kakinada district on June 6. This significant escalation in resources comes as the multi-agency operation enters its second week, intensifying efforts to locate the missing child.

More than 400 personnel, including teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, revenue, fire, and forest departments, are actively involved in the ground search. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan specifically directed the NDRF's deployment, underscoring the state government's commitment to finding Gnaneswari.

Gnaneswari went missing from Ch. Agraharam in Tuni mandal while accompanying her parents, Sunkara Ganesh and Bhavani, who work as caretakers at the plantation. Police reports indicate the child's disappearance stemmed from a miscommunication between the parents, who each believed the other had brought her home.

A perplexing development in the search occurred with the death of the family's pet dog on Saturday, June 13. The dog had been with Gnaneswari when she disappeared and returned home alone on June 9. Officials had fitted the animal with a GPS tracker on June 12, hoping its movements might lead them to the girl, but it died shortly after returning from the surrounding orchards.

The dog's strange behaviour since its return, including refusing to eat, raised concerns among the family and authorities. It reportedly walked nearly 80 kilometres while tracked. Officials have sent its body for a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death, suspecting a viral infection. This unexpected turn has deepened the mystery surrounding Gnaneswari's whereabouts.

Beyond ground teams, the search operation employs advanced drones to conduct minute examinations of the dense plantation and surrounding areas. The Kakinada district administration has announced a reward of Rs one lakh for anyone providing credible clues that lead to the girl's discovery.

State Home Minister V. Anitha is closely monitoring the situation, maintaining regular contact with district officials for updates. Kakinada Superintendent of Police G. Bindu Madhav confirmed the extensive personnel involvement and the use of CCTV footage from 38 cameras near the girl's home, which has been thoroughly reviewed.

An earlier sighting on the day of her disappearance adds another layer to the narrative. A villager reported seeing Gnaneswari near a hill, accompanied by her pet dog. However, when he attempted to approach the child, the dog barked aggressively, preventing him from getting close. This account was shared before the dog's eventual return and subsequent death.

As the search continues into its second week, the combined efforts of multiple state and national agencies, coupled with technological aids like drones, represent a determined push to resolve the child's disappearance. The community remains hopeful for Gnaneswari's safe return, even as the circumstances surrounding her pet dog's death add a somber note to the ongoing investigation.