PONDA/MARGAO: Two persons, including a Margao municipal councillor, drowned in the Khandepar River at Vagurme-Sonarbag on Sunday.
The incident occurred at around 12.30 pm, when a group of 27 bird lovers from Margao, Curchorem and surrounding areas, including Margao Municipal Councillor Ashlesha Ramesh Naik (Ward 21, Aquem) had gone for a picnic at Vagurme, informed Ponda PI Sudesh Naik. The group had visited the beach mainly to watch birds, and to attend a wedding in the evening.
According to information, while the group had gone swimming in the river, Naik (43) saw Mohammad Arafat Sheik (17) from Curchorem, drowning and went to save him. However, while trying to save the boy, she was also pulled in by the force of the current.
Locals, including fishermen, and police rushed to the site and fished out the duo, who were then shifted to the Ponda sub-district hospital, where they were declared dead.
Mohammed had come to the river with his parents and sister. Ashlesha, a resident of Pratibha Cooperative Society in Alto Aquem, is survived by her father, industrialist Ramesh Naik, mother Seema and two married sisters. Her funeral will take place on Monday at 11 am at the Hindu Crematorium in Margao.
The fishermen stated that the depth of the river is around three feet, but certain areas are deeper; they suspect that the boy had ventured into a deeper area and shouted for help when he was drowning, following which Naik had tried to save him.
PSI Paresh Sinari and Harish Naik conducted the panchanama. The bodies of Naik and Sheik were sent to GMC, Bambolim.
After hearing of the incident, MMC Chairperson Babita Angle Prabhudessai and the other councillors, as well as many citizens from Margao and Curchorem, rushed to the Ponda sub-district hospital.
Speaking to the media, Prabhudessai said, “We are all shocked by the death of our colleague. She was always helpful and cooperative, and a very good swimmer. I feel very bad about the incident.”
Tributes and condolences kept pouring in for Naik’s family on Sunday.
“It is very sad to hear the demise of our councillor Ashlesha Naik, a young councillor who had many dreams for her electorate,” said Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, while offering his condolence to her family.
Incidentally, Ashlesha was backed by Kamat for the MMC elections.
The Shadow Council for Margao has also expressed shock and grief over Naik’s tragic death.
“Ashlesha was known to be a dedicated person, who was ever willing to help people. And this fact has been exhibited by her till her last breath. In a very short period as a councillor, this ever smiling lady was always seen trying to help people and address the issues of her ward. The Shadow Council for Margao salutes her and conveys our grief to her bereaved family and prays that God grants them the strength to bear the loss,” read a statement issued by the Shadow Council on Sunday.
Naik’s friends, family and Margao citizens were seen visiting her home to offer their condolences to her bereaved family members.
