Kolar, 26 May

Two boys drowned in a seepage pond in Malur taluk, Kolar district, on Monday afternoon.

Residents of Kottur village had dug a pond – around five to six feet deep - to provide drinking water to cattle, said Om Prakash, Police Inspector of Masthi police station.

The boys, Vinuth, 10, and Devakiran, 12, who were studying in Class 5 and Class 6, respectively, reportedly entered the pond for a swim at around 3pm. But they are believed to have been trapped in slush and were unable to come out.

The pond had been constructed on land belonging to Venkatesh, whose grandsons were among the victims. The boys were studying in Ramamurthynagar in Bengaluru.

Notably, this is the fourth drowning incident reported in Kolar district in the last 20 days. At least nine people have drowned so far, with most of the incidents occurring in “Krishi Hondas” (farm ponds) constructed by farmers with government subsidy assistance.

Following the incidents, Kolar Deputy Commissioner Dr Ravi MR had directed farmers to install fencing around farm ponds to prevent accidents. However, officials said many farmers have not complied with the directions.