Keonjhar: A pall of gloom descended on Baniahudi village under Hatadihi block of the district after two youths drowned while fishing in a nearby canal on Sunday. The deceased have been identified as Sanjay Jena and Saroj Jena of Baniahudi village.
As per reports, the two youths went missing while they were fishing in the Baniahudi canal last night.
On receiving information, Chhenapadi fire brigade officials launched a search operation to fish out the bodies, failing which the rescue operation was allegedly stopped midway.
However, the bodies were recovered by the locals this morning, sources said.
The locals have blamed the canal construction company for their deaths citing negligence in the construction work. Later, they staged a road blockade near Baniahudi Chhak on Chenapati-Hadagada road demanding compensation.
Soon after the incident, Soso police along with additional district collector and Tehsildar reached the spot to pacify the irate locals.
Meanwhile, the company authorities are yet to comment on the issue.