PERNEM, SEPT 21
Tragedy struck a sand-extracting locality at Sagwado-Ozrim, Pernem, as two labourers from Uttar Pradesh, involved in sand extraction, were feared drowned after they accidentally fell in Chapora river on Monday morning.
According to Pernem police, the incident occurred at about 6 am, when 16 labourers had gone to extract sand in two different canoes in Chapora river. While one canoe carried nine labourers, the other carried six labourers.
While extracting sand, one Pijan Raj (18) lost his balance and accidentally fell in the river. At the same time, another labourer from another canoe, Kedar Parshuram Gavde (45) also fell into the river.
Efforts by other labourers to rescue their colleagues proved futile, as strong underwater currents pulled both the labourers.
Till late Monday evening, a search by Pernem police and fire brigade personnel was still going on.
Both the labourers were residing at Nagwaddo-Ozrim. Raj was married in May, this year, while Kedar is survived by his wife and four children.
Meanwhile, residents of Pernem have claimed that there was an altercation between the two laboures, which might have ended into a tragedy.
