Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Byndoor (SP)

Byndoor, Sep 3: Two persons, who were on a visit near Konamakki bridge near here along with family members, tragically drowned on Sunday, September 2.

Those who lost their lives in this incident were Raju Naik (27), son of Sathish Naik from Khargadde in Bhatkal, and Zameer Sheikh (22), son of Imam Saheb. Both were neighbours at Bhatkal.

Seven friends had together planned a picnic by an auto rickshaw and motor bikes to Konamakki near Shirur here to celebrate the acquisition of a new motor bike by one of them. They also had brought with them food for the night. Raju Naik went into the river first, and was swimming when he got caught in a whirlpool. Zameer Sheikh rushed to help his friend but in an attempt to rescue Raju, he too could not withstand the draught of the river water. He too met watery grave soon. Although other friends jumped into the river in an attempt to save the two, they miserably failed in their mission.

The bodies were later recovered by a team of divers from Shirur. It is learnt that Raju Naik was married with two children, while Zameer was a student.

Sources said that Konamakki river area is dangerous and it poses grave danger during the rainy season. It is said that there is a huge well in the middle of the river that is invisible, and warning sign asking visitors not to swim in the river has been planted there. Locals say that so far, about ten people who ventured into the river here have lost their lives so far, including three locals.

Byndoor station house officer, Thimmesh, and other personnel visited to the spot and conducted verification. A case about this incident was registered in Byndoor police station.