Two drown at quarry where past tragedies had triggered warnings

Raipur: Two students were feared drowned in the deep waters of the abandoned "Blue Water" quarry near Mana, Raipur, on Friday. The victims were identified as Jayesh Sahu, a resident of Raigarh district, and Mridul Banjaria from Bastar.According to preliminary information, the two, along with three to four friends, had reportedly gone to Mana on motorcycles and reached the quarry around 10.30 am. Both Jayesh and Mridul were Class 10 students of a private school in Tatibandh, and residents of the school hostel. The quarry is located about 20 km from the school.The Mana SHO said the quarry is approximately 350–400 feet deep. Despite warnings from local villagers not to enter the water, the boys allegedly ignored the advice and went in to bathe. While Jayesh and Mridul entered the water, their friends reportedly remained on the bank eating snacks. Shortly after, the two boys are believed to have drifted into the deep section of the quarry and drowned. Fearing legal action, their friends reportedly tried to flee the scene on motorcycles but were stopped by villagers, who then alerted the police through the 112 helpline.A State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team had launched a search and rescue operation that reportedly continued for over five hours but could not locate the boys' bodies. Police are investigating how the students managed to leave the hostel premises and travel such a long distance during school hours. Police further said that similar incidents have occurred in the past, and a proposal had earlier been sent to the state government to fence off the quarry.Sources said that Mridul recently appeared for a district level trial and did well. Results of the trial awaited, sources said.