2 smugglers drown while fleeing from cops

GUNTUR: Two lorry drivers smuggling sand from Krishna river near Madipadu village of Achampet mandal in Guntur district were washed away as they reportedly jumped into the river when police raided the spot on Friday. Their bodies were found at Boggumadavaram of Mellacheruvu mandal in Nalgonda district.The deceased were identified as Pirigi Narsimha Goud (30) of Alamcheruvu village of Narayanpur mandal in Nalgonda district and Bommala Kiran (32) from Chowdupally village of Ankireddygudem mandal of the same district.According to sources, Achampet police raided the sand reach at Madipadu from where sand-laden trucks are being moved to the bank on barges. When the police reached the spot, the two lorry drivers, Narismha Goud and Kiran, jumped into the river in a bid to escape.However, Achampet SI Shaik Shukur said the two drivers were washed away while they were swimming in the river.