Jawan drowned after saving 60 people

Bhubaneswar: A jawan and his colleagues were successful in rescuing 60 people from the roof top of a house in flood-hit Orissa, but while returning he fell off the relief boat and drowned, official sources said here today.

Aswini Kanungo (28), member of a rescue team of the Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force, had gone to Mathura village of Jajpur district to rescue marooned people and helped 60 people including women and children to come down from a roof top to their relief boat on Friday.

While returning, Kanungo fell off the boat and despite being a trained swimmer remained missing for the past two days. His body was recovered today, sources said.

Married only three months ago, Kanungo`s wife would get Rs 9.5 lakh and a government job, Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management S N Patra said.