2 drown in river while immersing idol

Erode: Two youths drowned while another was rescued after falling into Bhavani River while immersing a Lord Ganesh idol in the district, police said Sunday.

The incident occurred Saturday night when the three, part of a 20-member group from Mummurthynagar in neighbouring Tirupur, slipped and fell into the swirling waters while immersing the big idol at Kallipatty village.

A 23-year old man was rescued while the other two, aged 16 and 22, drowned, police said.

Meanwhile, as many as 108 Vinayagar idols kept in different places here were taken in a procession and immersed in Cauvery River around 10 p.m. Saturday, police said.