Mandrem Sarpanch Robert Fernandes and Panch Rosa Fernandes in a boat during a search operation for the missing man in the Mandrem river.
PERNEM
A security guard hailing from Nepal drowned while another person hailing from Assam was rescued after a canoe capsized in the river at Junaswada-Mandrem on Saturday.
According to reports, Ramesh Khathayat (30), a security guard at a beach resort in Mandrem along with a friend Nabajyoti Bore of Assam had taken a canoe for a ride in the river.
Both of them are alleged to have been intoxicated at the time of the incident and some time later, the boat capsized and both of them fell in the river.
Bore managed to stay afloat by clinging on to some trees by the river bank, while Khathayat disappeared in the water.
On hearing news of the incident, a fire brigade went to the site but there was no swimmer in the team. As a result, Mandrem Sarpanch Robert Fernandes and Panch Rosa Fernandes went in a boat and began a search operation for the missing man, while locals also joined in the search operation.
The body was later retrieved from the river and police sent the body to the GMC hospital for an autopsy.
Later speaking to media persons, Robert Fernandes questioned the delay of the fire brigade and for being ill-equipped to deal with the situation.
“Authorities need to take cognisance of such lapses and we will report the matter to the MLA,” said the sarpanch.
Mandrem police has registered a case under Section 194 BNSS and is investigating the case.
