Arun Uppinangady
Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur

Puttur, Jun 11: A young man from Mangalore, who was employed in Dubai and had come to his hometown only a few days ago, was feared drowned at Uppinangady here on Wednesday June 11.

Prashant (24), a resident of Nellikar in Mangalore, had come to Uppinangady to perform rituals for the repose of his father's soul, when the incident took place.

Prashant's father Sundar Poojary had left home 20 years ago in a state of mental disorder. The family, having lost all hopes of his return, recently consulted an astrologer who said that Sundar had passed away. It is learnt the astrologer also told the family that until they perform certain rituals for the salvation of his soul, they would not be able to live in peace.

Prashant came down from Dubai last Sunday, and it was decided to conduct the final rites on Wednesday. Accordingly, Prashant along with his mother Vasanti, sister and other relatives came to Uppinangady and before the rituals began, the priest asked them to take a dip in the river.

However, while the rest of the family took the dip at a safer spot in the river, Prashant insisted on doing so at the point where two rivers join. Despite warnings and pleas from his uncle and an elderly lady who told him not to go to that spot as the current was strong there, he did not heed to their advice and went away all alone.

Even as he was bathing, Prashant was pulled in by the water and in minutes, he totally disappeared.

As soon as the family realized that Prashant was washed away, they raised an alarm. Karunakar Suvarna, a trustee of a temple called the fire service. The firemen along with local swimmers Abusali and Mohammed searched every nook and corner for Prashant but he was nowhere to be found. When they efforts went in vain, the locals grew expressed discontent and the temple committee decided to seek the help of expert divers from Tannirbavi. The team from Tannirbavi arrived in the evening too searched for Prashant with the help of the locals. The search operation continued into the night but without success.