One youth drowns at sea, another goes missing

The lure of the beach has turned tragic once again.

N. Mahesh Babu (23), B. Vishnu Murthy (23), and Prabhu Kiran (24), all friends and native of Vijayawada, went to RK Beach on Tuesday and ventured into the water.

While Mahesh Babu and Vishnu Murthy had gone a bit deeper and were dragged by the rip currents, Prabhu Kiran was rescued by visitors present at the spot.

The body of Mahesh Babu, a techie, was washed ashore.

Vishnu, a BBM student, is said to be missing. The police launched a search-and-rescue operation to trace him.

The tragedy could have been averted had Community Life Guards been present there.

In all, 18 guards are posted in two shifts at RK Beach, Yarada, and Rushikonda.

But they have been on strike for the last one week seeking payment of five months’ salary due to them. Keeping the regular drowning incidents at the beaches in view, then Commissioner of Police J. Purnachandra Rao came up with the Community Life Guard concept.

Though initiated by the police department, their salaries have to be paid by the GVMC.

Since 2012, the drowning deaths recorded at the three major beaches are 400, which include 30 so far this year.

The number of those rescued by the guards is put at 270.

Community Life Guards are on strike seeking payment of salary due to them for the last five months