Mysuru, Aug. 21- The Cauvery Sangam at
Ganjam in Srirangapatna taluk in Mandya district, yesterday, stood witness to heart- rending incidents in which two brothers from
Bengaluru, who were immersing the ashes of
their grandfather drowned, while their uncle
who tried to rescue them was saved by
fishermen.
Following the tragedy, the grief-stricken
parents attempted suicide but were prevented.
The deceased have been identified as Bharath
(19) and Karthik (17), sons of Nagaraj, a
resident of Banashankari 3rd stage in
Bengaluru. Their uncle, who was saved by
four fishermen from drowning has been
identified as Mani.
It is reported that a group of 23 members
including Bharath, Karthik, their parents
Nagaraj and Devi, accompanied by uncle Mani
and seven children had arrived at the Sangam
in a Maruti van (KA 02 N-6880), a Tempo
Traveller (KA02 AC-6477) and a TATA Sumo
from Bengaluru to immerse the ashes of
Mani’s father, who had passed away five days
ago.
After completing the rituals which lasted
about 45 minutes, Bharath and Karhtik, along
with others, entered the Sangam in Ganjam
with the pot containing the ashes of their
grandfather for immersion.
While others returned from the river, Bharath
and Karthik stayed put at the Sangam. All of a
sudden at about 12.30 pm Karthik was
washed away by the river, while Bharath, who
was nearby, was also washed away while
trying to save Karthik.
Meanwhile, Mani, uncle of Bharath and
Karthik, who was helplessly watching the
proceedings jumped into the river to rescue
the two, but was caught in a whirlpool. Four
fishermen who were laying net to trap fish
nearby, noticed Mani being drowned, jumped
into the river and rescued him.
Srirangapatna Police led by Dy.SP Siddesh,
Circle Inspector M.K.Deepak, SI Sunil and
staff, who reached the spot along with Fire
Force and Emergency Services personnel from
Mandya and Srirangapatna, launched a hunt
for the bodies of Bharath and Karthik, which
proved futile in the evening. Search
operations have resumed this morning.
Saved by Fishermen: Mani, the uncle of
Bharath and Karthik, who drowned at
Cauvery Sangam in Ganjam yesterday
afternoon was saved from the jaws of death
by alert fishermen, who were fishing nearby.
Mani, who jumped into the river to rescue the
two brothers was struggling after being
caught in a whirlpool.
The four fishermen, who brought Mani to the
banks of the river after their brave rescue
attempt have been identified as Venkatesh,
Nagendra, Shivu and a physically challenged
person A. Mallesh, all residents of Ganjam,
Srirangapatna taluk.
Depressed parents attempt suicide: Mysuru,
Aug. 21 (RK&RNN)- Nagaraj and Devi, parents
of the brothers Bharath and Karthik, who
were drowned, were aghast to witness the
horrific incident of their children being
washed away at the Sangam. The distraught
couple who could not bear the horrific
incident, ran towards the river to jump into it
to end their lives at about 2.25 pm.
But their bid was foiled by locals and traders
in the vicinity, who rushed to the scene and
prevented them from jumping into the river.
Poignant moments were witnessed at the spot
where Nagaraj and Devi couple were pleading
with residents to allow them to end their lives
saying that they cannot not live without their
sons.
Cauvery Sangam lacks security: Mysuru,
Aug.21 (RK&RNN)- It is distressing to note that
Cauvery Sangam in Ganjam in Srirangapatna
taluk, which is visited by thousands of people
throughout the year, lacks security, exposing
tourists to danger.
It is unfortunate that the area is still without
security arrangement despite several
tragedies occurring regularly. Thousands visit
the area every year to immerse ashes of their
departed near and dear ones and perform
rituals throughout the season, even when the
water level of the river touches the danger
mark.
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