Kizhuppillikara, Thrissur: Protests broke out here on Sunday after it came to light that the personnel of an excise squad and a man didn't come to the rescue of a 20-year-old who frantically sought help as he drowned in a river. The youth was trying to flee from the excise squad, which had arrived at the Munayam Bund area in the district around Saturday evening to check on drug trafficking, when he fell into the river.
The deceased has been identified as Akshay, son of Anand, a native of Thriprayar in Thrissur district. The tragedy happened at Kizhuppillikkara village in the Thaniyam Panchayath which is on the banks of Karuvannur river.
As his leg was injured, Akshay likely had trouble in running. It is not clear as to how he fell into the river, but a video shows him pleading for help to a resident near the drowning spot.
The man who saw him drowning ignored his call for help, but instead recorded the incident on his phone, Akshay's friends alleged.
Akshay had cried out for help while struggling to stay afloat in the river, but none came forward. The youth, who recorded the video, reportedly showed the recording to some residents nearby. Protesters later attacked his house and one of his family members who was injured in the brawl was admitted to the hospital by the police.
Local people also levelled allegations against the excise team for failing to help the youth.
A huge posse of policemen has been stationed at the region.
The police have reportedly got hold of the drowning video.
Search too delayed
After the excise squad left, Akshay's friends and local people began a search for Akshay. Though the personnel of the Fire and Rescue Services arrived from Nattika, the search was delayed as they lacked the equipment to conduct underwater search.
The search commenced only after diving experts came from Thrissur. They conducted the search for nearly two hours, but to no avail. After their oxygen cylinders were exhausted, they too left. But the local people continued the search and Akshay's body was found near the Munayam Bund on Sunday afternoon.
