Manhole claims two lives in Kolar

The dead have been identified as Manjunath (23) of Neelakantapura in Bangarpet taluk and Rajanna (28) of Madhava Burjenahalli in Kolar taluk.

It was Manjunath who first entered the manhole, constructed by the City Water Supply and Sewerage Board, near the Regional Transport Office. Rajanna went in search of Manjunath when the latter did not come out for a long time. Police suspect that the duo might have died after inhaling poisonous gas.

Initially, the colleagues of the deceased prevented the police from shifting the bodies, demanding that the Board officials and contractors of the manhole work should come to the spot. Additional Superintendent of Police H R Bhagwan Das visited the spot and pacified the workers and the bodies were finally removed.