On the eve of Raksha Bandhan, a pal of gloom descended in Khushipura village of Sagar district when four out of five youths drowned in Bebas river in Sanodha. Out of four, three bodies were recovered till Saturday morning while fourth body was found in the afternoon. Later in the day, last rites of three friends were performed by the families at Narayavali Muktidham. While one of the deceased was a resident of Richawar, his last rites were also performed at his village area. Earlier, on Friday late evening the police and administration team reached the spot and started the rescue operation. The rescue operation was stopped at night.

 

The search started again on Saturday morning. Two bodies were found at 9 am. Half an hour later, the third body was found at around 9.30 am. The fourth body was found at around 1.30 pm. Naib Tehsildar, Bahadur Singh said that the bodies of the four youths who drowned in the river in Richhawar have been recovered after a search operation on Saturday. One went into deep water, four drowned while trying to save him. Eyewitness and fifth youth Abhishek Ahirwar told the police that he was bathing in the river with his four friends Sunny, Raj, Sumit and Nikhil. Meanwhile, suddenly one of the youths went into deep water and started drowning.

 

The second jumped to save him, then the third and then the fourth too, but none of them knew how to swim. All four drowned in no time. Abhishek shouted and called the villagers present nearby, but by the time people reached, all four had drowned. Among those who drowned in the river, 22-year-old Nikhil Ahirwar, a resident of Richhawar, was the only brother of his five sisters. On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, the sisters were busy preparing to tie Rakhi, but as soon as the news of brother drowning was received, happiness turned into mourning. On the other hand, 22-year-old Sunny Ahirwar, a resident of Khushipura, was married three months ago.

 

On Raksha Bandhan, his sisters had come to their maternal home from their in-laws’ house. Among the dead, one youth was from Richawar and three youths were from Khushipura village. All were between 22 and 25 years of age. Sanodha police Station In-charge, Bharat Singh Thakur said that a youth named Abhishek is safe, who gave information about the entire incident. The youths drowned are Sunny Ahirwar son of Ramesh Ahirwar, resident of Khushipura, Moti Nagar, Raj Ahirwar son of Saheb Ahirwar, resident of Khushipura, Moti Nagar, Sumit Ahirwar son of Phoolchand Ahirwar, resident of Khushipura, Moti Nagar, Nikhil Ahirwar son of Mahendra Ahirwar, resident of Richawar. ASP Sagar, Lokesh Sinha said that initial investigation has made it clear that five youths had gone for a walk on the river bank, out of which four drowned while bathing.

 

A youth named Abhishek is safe. Police and SDRF team have recovered all four bodies.Local people said that there have been incidents of drowning in the ghat of Bebas river where this accident happened, but no proper security arrangements have been made till now.