by reciprocal arrangement with Star Of Mysore

Mysore/H.D. Kote, Jan 25: All the eight people had a miraculous escape when a country boat capsized in Kabini backwaters near Machchur village near here last evening.

District Superintendent of Police Vipul Kumar today told Star of Mysore that the incident happened in the Kerala border.

Quoting Kerala Police, he said that all the eight villagers swam to safety and one Vishwanath, who suffered minor injuries, is undergoing treatment at hospital at Pulapalli in Kerala.

The boat capsized when daily wage workers were returning from Manandawadi at around 7.30 pm.

The daily wagers had travelled in a bus from Manandavadi and alighted in D.B. Kuppe. Then they proceeded towards Perikallur on Kerala border in the coracle, according to eye witnesses. It is said, majority of the persons are from Kerala.

The incident came to light only after some persons swam to shore and informed the villagers on the bank.

Senior Police officers from both Kerala and the State have rushed to the spot.

It may be recalled here that after the boat tragedy on Nov. 6 last year, the District In-charge Minister Tanveer Sait was reminded by the people about the need for a bridge across the river which would prevent villagers from travelling in coracles which is risky, especially during the full flow in Kabini river.

Incidentally, a foundation stone was laid 14 years ago for the bridge and after the last year’s tragedy, Tanveer Sait had promised the villagers that he would talk to the Chief Minister to expedite the bridge project. Even the Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had also given similar assurance.