A shocking incident of civic apathy has emerged from Delhi's Jasola village, where an open drain has once again endangered a young life. On Saturday at around 11 am, 14-year-old Mithun, an eighth-grade student, fell into an open drain and was washed away by the strong water currents. Despite two continuous days of search operations, authorities failed to locate the child, prompting the administration to call off the rescue effort. This decision triggered immediate anger, leading family members and locals to stage a roadblock protest.
Parents Were Away at Work When Tragedy Struck
The boy's father, Avadhesh, shared that both he and his wife were away at work when the accident occurred. Upon receiving the distressing news, the parents rushed back home immediately and began searching for their son with the help of local residents. When their independent efforts failed to yield any clues about Mithun's whereabouts, the local police and fire department were formally notified about the incident.
Public Outrage After Rescue Halted
Upon receiving the alert, police personnel, the fire department, and professional divers rushed to the scene to launch a rescue operation inside the drain. Even after two full days of rigorous searching, young Mithun could not be traced, leading authorities to suspend the search operation on Sunday afternoon. Infuriated by this decision, members of the grieving family and local residents gathered under the Jasola Metro station to block the road and register their protest.
Administration Resumes Search After Protests
Faced with mounting public anger and blocked roads, the police administration quickly swung back into action. Recognizing the worsening situation, authorities ordered the rescue operation to resume immediately. JCB machines were deployed to the location to clear out thick sludge and mud from the drain so that the search for the missing boy could continue with renewed intensity.
Previous Incidents Highlight Ongoing Dangers
Such hazardous open drains have posed a recurring threat across the national capital. Just days prior, a similar incident occurred in Delhi's Jagatpur village, where three children returning home from school fell into a drain. Fortunately, alert locals acted swiftly at the time, grabbing the children by their hands and pulling them out to safety before tragedy could strike. Heavy monsoon rains frequently cause drains to overflow, hiding their edges under stagnant water and making them invisible to unsuspecting pedestrians.
