40 Greyhound jawans feared drowned as boat capsizes in Chitrokanda

Malkangiri, Jun 29 (UNI) At least 40 greyhound jawans of Andhra Pradesh were feared drowned when a boat ferrying them capsized in the Chitrakonda reservoir in a remote area near Maliguda, about 150 kms from here this morning.

Police said the Greyhound team was entering Orissa from West Vishakhaptnam district for combing operation when the mishap occurred.

It was not immediately ascertained as to what happened to the fate of the jawans travelling in the boat since the area is almost inaccessable and neither the Andhra Pradesh nor the Orissa police were able to approach the accident site.

The team was scheduled to return to Andhra Pradesh after the completion of the combing operation when the mishap took place.

The rescue team could not reach the accident side and officials said the chances of their srvival were very remote as the reservoir was now upto the brim with water.

Malkangiri District Superintendent of Police S K Gajbhiye has requested his counterpart in Vishakhapatnam to send a helicopter to trace out the jawans and start rescue operation forthwith.

Further details are awaited, he said.

UNI XC BD DP DPM/src1345