Nagpur: Celebration of Nagpanchmi turned into tragedy for three friends who, soaked into festive revellery, took to swimming in gushing Kanhan river in Waki. Never did they know that all the joy would soon sink into the waves of sorrow. Two of them – Rajat Munna Verma alias Pannani,17 and Rahul Vicky Mendule, 22 met their watery grave while another one Shubham Narhate swam back to safety as got his hands on the stone.
Talking to Nagpur Today Nagpur (rural) SP Shailesh Balkawde informed that the three were warned by the locals but they did not pay any heed to them despite the warning board put up near the spot. The locals have put up the warning display, he said, adding that Nagpur rural police have also taken up awareness campaign in this regard on social media suggesting the revellers to follow the instructions before entering into any rivers, dams or reservoirs.
He said that the police could not deploy a security guard on the spot as the department is still struggling with fewer staff. However, the police are trying to put up a private security guard to avert similar tragedy in future, he said.
Meanwhile, Khapa police station incharge Anamika Mirjapure informed that the tragedy took place on Thursday at 3.30 pm. She said that the deceased Rajat and Rahul, both residents of Saoner, were accompanied by two other friends while they were returning from Jamsaoli. All the four reached at Waki by the river side. Three of them entered into high flowing water and started swimming. Later both Rajat and Rahul stuck into the whirlpool formed due to water flow while Shubham hold the big rock and survived.
The body of Rahul has been fished out later in the night while the divers were still looking for Rajat, who could not be traced till Friday noon till the time of filing the report.
