Dental college students give tearful adieu to Palavan river drowning victims

KOTHAMANGALAM: Three students who drowned in the Palavanpuzha in Vadattupara were given a tearful farewell by classmates and teachers at Mar Baselios Dental College, Thankalam. The bodies of the three were kept at the college for public viewing on Monday afternoon. Vijayakumar's son, V.B. Harish (20), at Vishnu Bhavan in Poovar Pottayil, Thiruvananthapuram, Athulraj (20), son of P.T. Shalini at Puthuparampil in Chamampathal, Kottayam, and Biyon Biju (21), son of Bijumon Sebastian at Plamootil in Madukkummodu, Changanassery, lost their lives in the tragedy on Sunday.

The bodies of Biyon and Athulraj were brought to the college first. Many of the students who came to have a last glimpse at their beloved friends burst into tears. Dean Kuriakose MP and Mor Yulios Elias Metropolitan also paid their last respects.

Educational institutions under the MBMM Association were declared a holiday on Monday.

The accident took place around noon on Sunday. A group of nine had gone to the river near the downstream area of Idamalayar dam. Biyon slipped into the deep pockets of the water, forcing the other two to jump in to help. However, all three were swept away by the strong current of the river. Though the students raised an alarm, the low mobile connectivity and the remote forest location delayed help. Locals and the fire brigade reached the spot and recovered the bodies after a search that lasted for hours.

Athulraj's body was brought to his uncle's house in Maramkunnu. The funeral will be held tomorrow at 10 am at the land in the second mile bought to build Athul’s dream house.

Biyon Biju's body will be kept at the St. Thomas Hospital mortuary in Chethippuzha, Changanassery. The funeral will be held at 3 pm on Wednesday at St. Joseph's Church Cemetery in Veroor.

VB Harish's body was brought to Thiruvananthapuram last night and buried in his home compound.