Man, son jump into canal, minor saved

Abohar, January 21

Rakesh Kalra (48) of Indira Colony in Hanumangarh jumped along with his 10-year-old son Chitran into the Indira Gandhi Canal on Saturday. However, a police constable was able to rescue the minor. 

Maseetwala headworks police post incharge Bhagirath said the boy revealed that his father was finding it difficult to bear the expenses on the education of his two sons, besides meeting day-to-day needs of the family by pulling e-rickshaw. 

The duo boarded a bus and alighted near the Maseetwala headworks. A farmer, Om Parkash, got suspicious finding the duo walking along the canal. He informed the police and started following the duo. ASI Bhagirath and constable Ranjit reached the canal. As they were getting closer to the duo, Rakesh reportedly caught Chitran’s hand and jumped into the canal. As Om Parkash, who was following the duo, raised an alarm, a dozen farmers reached the site to assist in the rescue work. Ranjit threw the rope inside, but Rakesh refused to cooperate. Chitran was pulled out by a cop.

DSP Dev Anand said an award would be recommended for the cop. — OC