Keonjhar: A pall of gloom descended on Baniahudi village under Hatadihi block in this district after the bodies of two fishermen who had drowned while fishing in a canal Sunday were recovered Monday morning.
Locals spotted the bodies floating in the canal and alerted the police. The deceased have been identified as Sanjay Jena (28) and Saroj Jena (18) of Baniahudi village. As per reports, the two had gone missing in the canal. Over some unknown reason, they drowned.
On receiving information, Chhenapadi fire brigade officials launched a search operation to fish out the bodies Sunday. However, the rescue operation was allegedly stopped midway after it grew dark. Later, the bodies were recovered by the locals Monday morning, sources said.
The locals have blamed the canal construction company for their deaths citing negligence in the construction work. They claimed that the two fell into the water after a portion of the canal caved in. Later, they staged a road blockade near Baniahudi Chhak on Chhenapadi-Hadagada road demanding compensation.
Soon after the incident, Soro police along with additional district collector and Tehsildar reached the spot to pacify irate locals. The company authorities are yet to comment on the issue.
PNN