Izad is the son of K M Aboobakar, a PWD Contractor. Having completed his primary education from Sahara English Medium School in Addoor, he later went to Rosa Mystica, Kaikamba. He was studying second year diploma student at Karavali Polytechnic College, Neermarga.
The incident took place when Izad and a few others who had reached there wading through waist-deep water on the untarred road across the agriculture fields. They were heading to see the Masjid one km away on the Phalguni river bank that had been submerged. This road connects the Masjid and about 50 households living on the river bank with the mainland.
Izad, as his relatives and friends had perceived was a sensitive young boy who had huge fascination for painting. He was a kindhearted animal lover who derived happiness by rearing rabbits and pigeons at home. Not being a part of any tiff and fight, that most college-goers resort to, Izad was more of a friendly person who did not nurture enmity with anyone.
Izad's father Aboobaker still repents his decision not to take the boy to Mangalore on the fateful morning. “He wanted to accompany me. But I refused,” recalls Mr. Aboobaker.
An hour later Mr. Aboobacker had to rush back to his house in Ammunje village hearing that his second son had drowned in the submerged agriculture fields. “Today I wonder how my son could drown here,” he says pointing to a corner of the paddy field – about 5 ft below the newly-laid mud road near his house. “It's just fate. The water swelled just to take away two lives,” he said as tears rolled down his cheeks.
Family's hope
On the other hand Abdul Razzak was the youngest of the four siblings. Having lost his father Ibrahim about six years ago, the poor family was dwelling at Battabettu, in a rented house. His mother Mariamma (65) has been ailing. His older brother Haneef is a driver and Razzak has been supplementing the income of the family by working as a painter. Both of his sisters have been married off. While one of the sisters was married off just a month ago, the two brothers were seen toiling to repay the money they had borrowed for the wedding. Razak had also taken a loan of Rs. 2 lakh to meet the expenses of his sister's marriage.
Izad's brother Mohammed Irshad, who has seen the tragedy unfold, says he saw his brother slip and fall into the water around 11 a.m. He rushed towards study centre while Razzak jumped to rescue Izad. Seeing Izad and Razzak struggle, Ahmed Bawa, a passer by, took a plunge to rescue the duo, but got stuck in the water. Karunakar Alva, a local resident, brought a long rope and threw it at the struggling trio. Only Bawa could catch the rope and scramble to safety.
Elected representatives, religious heads and members of various organizations have visited the families of the victims. The local residents of the region have been demanding compensation for the family of Abdul Razzak, who are struggling to cope with the loss amidst acute poverty.
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