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Tribune News Service
Ambala, October 21
A pall of gloom descended on Baknaur village here after four youths of an extended family, including two brothers, died due to suspected gas poisoning and drowning inside a well this evening. The four lost their lives in an attempt to save another youth from the village, who had jumped into the well.
While the one who had jumped inside the well was brought out safe, four of the five who went inside the well to save him died.
The deceased have been identified as Kamal, Soni, Surender and Manjeet.
Around 5.30 pm, a youth, Sanju (25), from the village, who was in an inebriated condition, jumped into the well. Manjeet, who saw him jumping, entered the well to bring him out. Later, Manjeet’s brother Surender and three more youths from the family (Kamal, Soni and Wazir) also entered the well for rescue. As the news spread, villagers gathered at the spot and started a rescue operation.
All six were brought out by the villagers after a struggle. They were brought out one by one with the help of ropes. Deputy Superintendent of Police Sultan Singh, SDM Minakshi Dahiya and other officials also visited the spot.
Manjeet is survived by his wife and a baby boy. While Manjeet was a subedar in the Army, the other youths were engaged in labour work.
The well was out of use for years and had 3 ft water.
The victims were rushed to the Civil Hospital, Ambala City. Dr Seema Agarwal said five persons were brought to the hospital. While three were brought dead, one, who was in a critical condition, died during treatment. The condition of the fifth one was stable.
The Chief Medical Officer said the exact cause of the deaths would be known after the postmortem tomorrow.
DSP (Headquarters) Sultan Singh said, “The condition of the victims was critical when they were brought out. Two of them were brothers and had entered the well to bring out Sanju. Efforts are on to find out why Sanju jumped into the well.” The Naggal police are looking into the matter.
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