16-hour ordeal ends, six rescued from Neeldhara

Tribune News Service

Haridwar, July 2

Jal Police personnel today rescued four youths and two sadhus from the Neeldhara island in the Ganga after more than 16 hours.

According to information, four youths, who work as labourers, had gone to Neeldhara to wash their clothes last evening when the water in the Ganga suddenly rose and they got stuck on the island. Two sadhus were also there.

Due to the dark, local people did not get to know about the incident and it came to light only this morning when co-workers of the four youths came looking for them and spotted them stuck on the island. They reported the matter to the police, which reached there along with Jal Police personnel. However, the Jal Police could not start the rescue operation in the morning as the river was in spate.

They were rescued only when the water level in the Ganga receded.

The youths have been identified as Suraj (18), a resident of Haridwar, Ritik Pandey (13), a resident of Ludhiana, Jaggi Kumar (20), a resident of Uttar Pradesh, and Bhajan (18), a resident of Ranchi.

The identity of the sadhus could not be ascertained as they left the ghat immediately after they were rescued,

Circle officer Chakradhar Anthwal said following incessant rain in the upper reaches of Garhwal, the water level in the Ganga had reached the danger mark. He warned the local people, pilgrims and tourists to refrain from going towards the Neeldhara area.

Meanwhile, SSP Sweety Aggarwal has appreciated the efforts of the Jal Police rescue team.