2 kids feared drowned in Bhakra Canal while shooting videos

Tribune News Service

Patiala, August 11

Two school students were feared drowned in the Bhakra Canal on Saturday evening when their friends were busy shooting their diving videos. Divers pressed into action by the police have failed to locate the two boys so far.

According to the police, the two boys have been identified as 17-year-old Sahil and 14- year-old Karan, who had gone to the canal near Nabha Road, along with two other friends. “They were bathing and diving into the canal while two of their friends were shooting reels for social media. Suddenly as they jumped, they were washed away by the water current, video of which is also doing the rounds,” the police said.

“As soon as we got the information, we pressed the local divers into action to trace the missing boys. However, it has been over 24 hours and the water flow has also increased due to heavy rain, making it tough for the divers to locate the bodies,” said SHO, Civil Lines, Amritveer Singh.

Onlookers say the four boys were taking turns to jump into the canal, which is a common sight, despite repeated warning by the district administration and the police against bathing in the canal. “Suddenly two of them jumped and drowned within seconds. By the time nearby persons tried to help, they were untraceable,” said eye witnesses.

The police said the two victims were from poor families and their parents were daily wagers who had shifted to Punjab some years back. “We are doing our best, but the water flow has increased due to rain,” the police said.

The district administration had recently issued orders under Section 144 of the CrPC, banning residents from bathing and swimming in canals. Despite the ban, youngsters continue to dive and click photos at the Bhakra Canal bridge on the Patiala-Sangrur and Nabha roads.

When The Tribune visited the Bhakra Main Line, near the Passiana police station, youngsters, including schoolchildren, could be seen bathing there. Even near the Nabha road, near the Century Enclave police post, youngsters could be seen diving into the canal.