Khammam: The expert swimmers appointed by the Bhadradri temple ignored a drowning youth despite repeated pleas for help by his brother at Bhadrachalam in Khammam district on Thursday.
Reports said that 18-year-old Ponnala Balu of Hyderabad and his relatives went to Bhadrachalam to perform the anniversary ritual of his uncle on the banks of the Godavari.
While his relatives were busy with the ritual Balu went to the river for a bath and started shouting for help. Balu’s brother ran to the swimmers for help. But the swimmers refused help stating that they were in Sri Rama mala. By the time the fire force came it was too late. The police later registered a case.
It was too late when the fire fighters came. It's learnt that the temple authorities are paying Rs 4,500 a month to the expert swimmers to save people from drowning in the Godavari.
