Bantwal: Dasara Tragedy - Two Drown During Immersion of Idols

Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal

Bantwal, Oct 25: In a tragic incident, two persons drowned during the immersion ritual of Sharada idols on Wednesday October 24 night at Mularpatna under Bajpe police station limits.

The deceased have been identified as Satish Bhandary (25), a resident of Kuppepadavu-Kajiguri and Yogish, a resident of Tarigudde, Badagabellur, Bantwal.

Satish's body was found on Thursday October 25 evening, while Yogish's body is yet to be located.

Like every year, Kuppepadavu Friends Club organized Vijayadashami celebrations wherein the idol of goddess Sharada Devi was taken out in a procession to Phalguni river for immersion. Satish, Yogish and four others were lowering the idol into the water when they were caught in a strong current.

The force of the water was such that the sand under their feet gave way and they fell in. While four of them swam to safety, Satish and Yogish were washed away and disappeared into the water in no time, said eyewitnesses.

Hundreds of people who had gathered for the religious rituals helped in the rescue efforts. Police and fire brigade personnel also rushed to the spot. Bajpe police, Bantwal rural police, expert divers and fire brigade personnel intensified their search for the bodies, and managed to locate Satish on Thursday evening.

Senior police officials visited the spot. Bajpe police have registered the case.