Jaisalmer: Two cousins drowned in a deep water-filled pit allegedly created by illegal mining near Daruda village in Barmer district’s Rural police station area Friday.According to family members, 18-year-old Devaram slipped into the water-filled pit while walking near a stone crusher site. His cousin, 20-year-old Kirtaram jumped in to rescue him but also drowned.Their companion, Praveen, raised an alarm, but by the time villagers reached the spot, both had disappeared underwater.Villagers informed the Army, following which Army personnel, assisted by residents and Civil Defence teams, carried out a rescue operation that lasted nearly an hour. The two youths were pulled out and taken to the district hospital, where doctors declared them dead.The victims’ uncle, Surat Ram, said the three youths had left home to meet someone and were passing near a stone crusher, about half a kilometre from the village, when the incident occurred.Villagers alleged that several stone crusher operators in the area had been carrying out illegal mining, leaving behind pits 50-100 feet deep. During the monsoon, these pits fill with water, posing a serious risk to residents. They said the village access road runs close to the abandoned excavation sites, making accidents a constant threat.Surat Ram claimed that 20-30 stone crushers are operating near Daruda village and alleged that unchecked mining has turned the area into a hazardous zone. He demanded strict action against those responsible for illegal excavation and measures to prevent similar incidents.Rural police station Assistant sub-inspector Gyan Singh said police reached the spot and a joint rescue operation was conducted by the Army and Civil Defence teams. The bodies were shifted to the district hospital mortuary for post-mortem, and further investigation is underway.
