Flouting norms, children continue to swim in canals

Tribune News Service

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Patiala, May 15

A day after five children and a man drowned in a pond near Sahnewal village in Ludhiana, children here continue to swim in canals.

Despite a ban on swimming in the Bhakra mainline (BML), which has virtually become a “death trap”, youth continue to make a mockery of the administrative orders. The youngsters continue swimming in canals and rivers flowing through the district with the law enforcing agency turning a blind eye to the risk.

Every day, from morning till late evening, children continue to dive into high-current waters, flouting all the rules and safety warnings.

Every summer, three to five youth lose their lives in the canals, particularly the BML.

Earlier, too, there had been hue and cry about the issue, but lack of action by the police means that the danger persists.

The BML remains a favourite spot for fun-loving youth, who in their quest to find some respite from scorching sun, descend on the Nabha road bridge and the Samana-Sangrur bridge to enjoy swimming.

Interestingly, at both the points, there are police posts in close vicinity.

Senior police officers said swimming in these canals had been banned and they would start arresting those who flout the rules. “We will take strict action to avoid any untoward incident in future,” said a senior police officer.

Inviting trouble

• Despite a ban on swimming in the Bhakra mainline, it remains a favourite spot for fun-loving youth, who in their quest to find some respite from scorching sun, descend on the Nabha road bridge and the Samana-Sangrur bridge to enjoy swimming.
• “We will take strict action to avoid any untoward incident in future,” said a senior police officer.