Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Feb 8: A priest of Jumma Masjid at Mugeru village lost his life after drowning when crossing River Falguni. This tragic incident occurred on the night of Saturday February 6 at Gadipalke in Sangabettu village in the taluk.

The deceased has been identified as Muhammed Afridi (23), son of Adam from Bannur neat Puttur. It is gathered that he had recently been ordained into religious services.

People from nearby villages cross River Falguni on foot to reach Iruvail from Mugeru Gadipalke in Sangabettu during summer months. Accordingly, Afiridi, along with a local named Salaam, was crossing the river by foot to reach Iruvail mosque from Gadipalke. After reaching the middle of the river, he suddenly slipped and fell into water, and got washed away. Fire brigade personnel and expert divers conducted search operations on Sunday morning, and recovered the drowned priest's body on Sunday evening.

A case about this unnatural death was filed in the rural police station here. The case stands transferred to Moodbidri police station as the body was found from a spot which falls within the jurisdiction of that police station.