Khowai, August 9:
A recreational outing turned tragic in Khowai district on Sunday afternoon when two 18-year-old college students drowned while swimming near a sluice gate at Dhalabil Barua Para, leaving their families and friends devastated.
The deceased have been identified as Mandeep Pal and Bhishma Das Chowdhury, both aged 18.
According to their friend and eyewitness Indrajit Das, the two victims had gone to the area along with three other friends. The group had planned the outing after discussing a visit to Agartala, and later went to the Dhalabil area.
Speaking about the incident, Indrajit said the group had been spending time together and having food before the two youths entered the water. He said he also went into the water but later came out, while Mandeep and Bhishma continued swimming.
According to his account, the two youths subsequently got into difficulty and drowned. Their friends raised an alarm and sought help.
A firefighter involved in the rescue operation said the emergency team was called after information was received that two youths had drowned at the Dhalabil switch gate. Rescue personnel reached the spot and recovered the victims from the water.
The two youths were subsequently taken to Khowai District Hospital in a police vehicle. Doctors examined them at the hospital but declared both dead.
The eyewitness said the group comprised five friends, including the two victims. He said none of the other friends could immediately reach the two youths when they got into difficulty in the water.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the locality, with the deaths of the two young students turning what was meant to be an outing with friends into a tragedy.
Local residents and emergency personnel played a crucial role in the rescue operation after the alarm was raised. The bodies were taken to the hospital, where the doctors confirmed their deaths.
