Operation to recover Mastan Babu's body

Hyderabad, April 10 (INN): Union Minister for Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu was informed on Friday that the operation for bringing down the mortal remains of mountaineer late Malli Mastan Babu from the Cerro Tres Cruces slope of the Andes mountain range on the side of Chile is all set to beign today.

Naidu today spoke to the concerned officials coordinating the retrieval operation in the Ministry of External Affairs to enquire about the latest position in the matter.

Naidu was informed that two groups of private professionals from Argentina including mountain guides have been set up to retrieve the body of the mountaineer. One group of six professionals from Tucuman city 'Patrulla de Rescate Mendoza, is being led by led by Hernan Augusto Parajon and the other five member group from Mendoza is being led by Comisario Antonia Ceferino Izabeta. Indian Mission in Santiago has obtained the necessary approvals of Chile government and the same was conveyed to the group. Argentine government has also assured of full support for the Group to cross into Chile and back into Argentina and in transportation of the body to either Mendoza or Catamarca.

Necessary advance payment to the retrieval group has already been made by the Indian missions.

Patrulla group members will start climbing the mountain range today while the other group will extend logistical support from the base area. Quoting Hernan, Indian authorities have informed Venkaiah Naidu that if all goes well, the mortal remains of late Mastan Babu will be brought down to the plains by Saturday or Sunday.

Naidu was also informed that Indian Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina is making arrangements for coffin, medical procedures and transportation of the body to India.

Renowned mountainer Mastan Babu was reported missing in the Andes mountain range on March 23 and subsequently, his body was traced in a tent on the Cerro Tres Cruces slope on the side of Chile.

Venkaiah Naidu spoke to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj seeking speedy action for retrieving the body of the mountaineer and bringing the same back to his native place in Nellore district. Further to the initiative of Naidu, the Government has agreed to bear the full cost of retrieval mission.

The retrieval operation was delayed due to extreme unfavorable climate conditions. Naidu is monitoring the operation from time to time daily basis with the Ministry of External Affairs and today spoke to the family member of Late Malli Mastan Babu and update them the steps taken by Government of India.