Two youths drown in Sonegaon Lake

NAGPUR: Turning a deaf ear to devotees' warning cost a second year B Com student his life. He drowned in Sonegaon Lake on Sunday morning during a fun swimming race. In a bid to save 20-year-old Sunil alias Sonu Raut, his friend, 14-year-old Nikhil Raut, too drowned.
The incident took place around 9 am when residents were busy performing the rituals for Ganesh immersion.They scolded Sunil and asked him to go to the other side of the lake as they felt that he was learning to swim.
Sunil then went to the other side of the lake and dived into the water. Nikhil, who was present with his other friends, was challenged by Sunil for a race. The duo then dived into the lake. In no time, Nikhil realized that Sunil was drowning and screaming for help. While trying to save him, Nikhil too drowned.
Residents of Sonegaon basti, the place where the duo stayed, told TOI that Nikhil, an eighth standard student, was a good swimmer. Since last week, Nikhil was going to the lake daily.
Nikhil's friends informed neighbours and relatives. Some youths from the nearby areas immediately jumped to save the duo but the effort was in vain. Residents felt that Nikhil and Sunil may have got stuck in weeds.
Residents informed that a fortnight ago, NMC dug a big pit near the lake and the mud got mixed with the water. Though fire officials reached the spot immediately, it took them the entire day to fish out Nikhil's body. Sunil's body is yet to be traced.
Nikhil's father Dilip, a truck driver claimed that the bodies might have got struck in the pit. Nikhil's mother Veena and sister Neha were inconsolable. The same was the situation with Sunil's family. Sunil's parents are labourers. He has an elder sister Minu and younger brother Kishore.
Sonegaon police have registered a case of an accidental death.