Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Apr 7: A student breathed his last after getting stuck in the slushy mud that had accumulated at the bottom while swimming in Sauparnika River at Holekadu in Kurinahithlu, Navunda near Maravanthe in the taluk on Saturday April 5. The unfortunate victim has been identified as Magharaj Poojary (18), son of Mutta Poojary from Chavadimane in Maravanthe.

Megharaj was a student of second PU (commerce) class of the government PU college, Navunda. After the recent conclusion of final examination, he was eager to enjoy the summer holidays. Reportedly, at around 2 pm, he went to Holekadu, where facility to enter the river is available, along with a neighbouring boy.

After letting the small boy who had accompanied him to sit on the river bank, he ventured into the river to take bath. Reportedly, sand mining was taking place in this region, and slushy mud had accumulated in the pits dug inside water by miners. The legs of Megharaj got stuck in this mud. Seeing that Megharaj was desperately struggling to get his legs released from the mud, the boy ran home about two km away, and informed the family members.

By the time the family members reached the spot, Megharaj had breathed his last. His body was kept at the mortuary of Maravanthe government hospital. After post mortem, the body was carried home in the evening.

Megharaj, it is learnt, was good at studies. He is survived by parents, two brothers, and a sister. Udupi district JDS minorities unit president,Mansoor Ibrahim, district secretary, Gulam Ahmed, in-charge of election, D R Raju, district president, Deviprasad Shetty etc visited the spot and helped the family in getting the needful done.