Mangalore: Three Youngsters Drown in Netravati River

Naveen Menezes
Pics: Karthik B C Road
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (PS)

Mangalore, Dec 6: In a tragic incident, three students drowned in Netravati river at Nandavar near Panemanglur bridge here on Tuesday December 6 afternoon.

The youths have been identified as Jitesh (17) , Laxmeesha (19) and Yashodhar (21). As it was a holiday on Tuesday on account of Muharram, they worked in the fields and went to the river to clean themselves, it is learnt.

Jitesh, Laxmeesha and Yashodhar

The three were good swimmers and when they dived into the river the water level was said to be low. However, even as they were swimming, the nearby AMR power project opened its gates and released the water, resulting in a sudden rise in the water level which led to their deaths, sources said.

Abdul Khader, Abdul Rahman and Kasim tried to save the three but in vain. Later, locals gathered in large numbers and along with the police were able to fish out the bodies of Jeetendra and Laxmeesha. Yashodhar's body was found after a prolonged search.

Laxmeesha and Jitesh were sons of Shantappa Gowda. While Laxmeesha was a student in ITI polytechnic in Sunkadakatte, Jitesh was a PU student in Puttur. Yashodhar from Kadaba was studying in Mangalore University.

Locals, shocked at the incident, said that it was not the first time this had happened, and that people of the area had repeatedly told the authorities that there is no warning signal or any sign when the power project releases its waters, leading to sudden rise in the level which creates problems.

Speaking to Daijiworld, B K Raj, a neighbour of Shantappa Gowda said, "This has happened before. The Government or the district officials should take strict measures, and at least put up warning signs at the river. I wish God gives strength to Shantappa Gowda to bear his loss." He also demanded compensation for the victims' families.

Ramanath Rai and Padmanabh Kottary visited the spot.

Bantwal police registered a case in this regard. Investigations are on into whether a siren was sounded at the time of release of water.