The Hindu : National : Three drown during `search for diamonds'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 29, 2005

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National

Three drown during `search for diamonds'

MUMBAI: After three persons drowned in the last couple of days while reportedly searching for diamonds on Juhu beach in North West Mumbai, police on Tuesday appealed to the public to stay away as there was no treasure on the shores.

However, Deputy Commissioner Amitabh Gupta said the three had died in high tides when they had gone for a swim.

He said there was no truth in reports that diamonds were found on the beach and people should keep away as the sea was rough.

More police personnel had been deployed as there was a mad rush of treasure hunters at the beach following reports that diamonds had been found there.

Police were having a tough time ever since rumours spread last week that precious diamonds had been found on the beach.

Tough time for police

Despite the presence of police personnel, about 2,000 people were found on the beach on Tuesday morning.

Police were having a tough time in controlling the crowd. The numbers were dropping now, police sources said.

The authorities had deployed fire brigade personnel and men with wireless sets.

According to residents, people were seen digging at the beach even late at night holding torches and braving the rain.

Enquiries revealed that some American diamonds found on the shores and palmed off by some boys to gullible customers had possibly triggered the rumours. — UNI

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