By Matters India Reporter

Mancherial, Oct 23, 2022: A Capuchin priest and a seminarian have been feared drowned in the Godavari River in the southern Indian state of Telangana.

Father Tony Simon Pulladen and seminarian Bijo Thomas Palampurackal were reportedly taking bath in the river on October 23 near Errayipet village near Chennur town, when the accident took place.

According to a message circulated among the Capuchins, the two belonged to the congregation’s St Joseph’s province based in Kerala. They have been serving in Telangana’s Adilabad mission.

Their bodies were yet to be traced until late evening on October 23 and the police have stopped the search operation because of darkness. Police said they would resume the search on October 24.

Bizo, the regent
The seminarian, who was a regent, had joined the Capuchin after completing his Master of Business Administration in the United Kingdom.

The website, telanganatoday.com, quoted Chennur Rural Inspector Vidyasagar to say that the two were teaching in the Assisi High School in Chennur.

The priest and the seminarian had gone to a deep spot in the river with their colleague identified as Antony. The two reportedly ventured into the river even though they did not know swimming. Antony reportedly alerted the Capuchins, who in turn informed the local police.