Team Herald
MARGAO: As the five hour search by Navy divers did not yield any results, the search for Jaffar Kanvalli has been abandoned and officials are waiting for nature to play its role and the body to come afloat.
The 17-year-old boy who drowned in the abandoned quarry at Gudi Paroda on Monday was studying at Gaonkar Higher Secondary School and was also taking up catering work during his off time. In fact, on Monday all the four boys had gone to deliver some catering stuff at Davorlim following which they went for an outing that turned tragic.
The four boys including Jaffar first went to the Selaulim canal at Gudi but left from there as it was too crowded. Jaffar then suggested to his friends to go to the quarry.
Incidentally, this quarry has been abandoned for more than 10 years, hence, accessing the same is too difficult and yet according to the locals, many youngsters come there for a picnic. The quarry is supposed to be around 20 metres deep and has so far claimed five lives.
According to Amin, who was amongst the quartet, Jaffar knew about the quarry and took them there and all three were visiting the quarry for the first time. All four went into the water and the other three came out while Jaffar remained there for some time.
However, from the land Nahim Sadique – one of the three – shouted that Jaffar was drowning and they tried to save him but Jaffar went underwater.
Police personnel revealed that Jaffar’s family was not willing to talk to them and had taken the stand that the body be recovered first.
