27-year-old youth drowns in Hooghly river

Kolkata: The body of a 27-year-old youth from Belghoria was recovered from Hooghly River on early Sunday morning.

He had gone to attend a picnic at Hooghly's Balagarh and later drowned on

Saturday afternoon. The incident triggered chaos in the locality after the body was recovered. Police said Jayanta Chouhan (27) along with his friends had gone to Milandwip area for a picnic on early Saturday morning.

It was learnt that in the afternoon the victim along with one of his friends went for a bath in the river. According to the preliminary investigation, police suspect that the duo was competing with each other when Chouhan drowned.

The matter was immediately reported to the local police station.

Cops reached the spot and divers were called in. After conducting a prolong search operation, the divers finally managed to recover the body. Police have sent the body to Imambara Sadar Hospital in Chinsurah for autopsy.

As per the investigation, the police came to know that a team comprising 12 members went for the picnic on the day of Republic Day.

It may be mentioned that a large number of people from various parts of the state visit the place for picnic throughout the year.

A caretaker who looks after the picnic spot said they had taken the immediate step of reporting the matter to his family members and the police. He also said the youths should have been careful while going for a bath.

A detailed probe into the incident has been initiated.

According to the preliminary investigation, police suspect that there may not be any foul play behind his death.

They are, however, looking into all possible reasons that might have led to the incident.

The other members of the group who went to the picnic and the one who accompanied the victim for a bath are being interrogated

in this connection.

The investigating officers are waiting for the autopsy report of the deceased that might throw some light on the cause of the death.