The Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Affairs, Abdul Haq Khan, Friday said two persons, whose bodies were recovered from a well in Kathua's Billawar area last year, had probably died due to drowning."The enquiry has revealed that the victims were not carrying any valuables or cash at the time of occurrence of the incident. The deceased girl was not having relation with any person and drowning has been defined as the most probable cause of death by doctors in the post mortem report," Mr Khan said.
The bodies of Neelam Devi and Ganesh Kumar, son of Som Raj, were recovered from a well in Gura Kalyal of Billawar area on March 29, 2014, following which inquest proceedings were initiated and their post-mortem was conducted next morning at SDH Billawar. Replying on behalf of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to Calling Attention Notice by MLA Kulgam, MY Tarigami, Mr Khan said the water level of the well, where two bodies were recovered, remains 20-25 feet.
"During investigations, the statement of five persons namely Pritam Kumar, Kali Dass, Som Raj, brothers of the deceased lady, Des Raj, father of deceased and Romesh Kumar, relative of deceased, were recorded on March 30. Enquiries were also made from the locals.
The family of the deceased is not having any enmity in the locality. During inspection, nothing suspicious is reported to have been either noticed or seized by police," Mr Khan said."The enquiries conducted have revealed that on March 28, 2014, the two deceased were going from Sarni to their relative's house at Gura Kalyal during evening hours. They were spotted dead on March 29. The post-mortem has not shown any sign of external injury on their bodies and the cardio-respiratory arrest is stated to be the cause of death," Mr Khan said.The Minister said the enquiry into the matter is still in progress, "Proceedings are on for conducting the "Lie Detector Test" of five persons of Gura Kalyal, Tehsil Billawar," he said.