Youth drowned in Sutlej yet to be traced

A 22-year-old youth, who drowned in the Sutlej river near Ladhowal during idol immersion on Thursday, remained untraced on the second day. Though the police and youth’s family members, along with divers, continued the search operation today, failed to trace him.

The police will resume the search operation on Saturday with the diving team. The youth was identified as Ankit (22), a resident of Puneet Nagar. He is the only brother of two sisters.

Ankit’s sister said, “On Thursday morning, around 9.30 am, we all arrived at the Sutlej bridge to immerse an idol. My brother was at the front, carrying the idol. After placing it in the water, he went a little deeper and suddenly slipped. Due to the strong current, he began to drown. We raised an alarm and the people came running for help. Many tried to grab his hand, but he drowned. He has not been found since then.”

Sub-inspector Gurshinder Kaur, Station House Officer, Ladhowal police station (SHO), said they received a complaint from the youth’s family. Divers were called at the spot and a search was still continuing to find youth, the SHO said.