A 15-year-old student from Shastri Nagar in Karnal, Haryana, jumped into the Western Yamuna Canal following a minor disagreement at home regarding his studies. The Class 9 boy, identified as Prince, was chased by his older brother Sonu, who managed to grab him near the canal's protective railing. However, during a brief physical struggle between the brothers, Prince pulled his hand free and plunged into the deep water.
Search Operations Underway at Western Yamuna Canal
Local police and rescue divers reached the spot shortly after receiving news of the incident. Search efforts continued late into the night but had to be paused due to darkness without finding any trace of the teenager. Search operations resumed the following morning. Meanwhile, family members conducted their own search along the canal banks, alleging a lack of adequate police and diving personnel at the site during their search effort.
Sequence of Events Before the Incident
According to family members, no major conflict or ongoing problem existed at home prior to the event. The dispute began over a routine domestic matter when Prince was asked to focus on his studies. His brother Sonu stated that he had returned home after taking his injured wife for medical treatment. After asking his wife to serve meals, Prince volunteered to serve food instead. Shortly afterward, Prince became unexpectedly upset and rushed out of the house. Neighbors noticed him running towards the canal, prompting Sonu to pursue him. Sonu questioned him while running, asking if he was upset over being admonished about playing mobile games, which Prince denied before reaching the canal.
Police Statement and Advice for Parents
Investigating officer Vikram Walia confirmed that search operations for the missing youth are actively ongoing. He noted that the family has not submitted a formal written complaint yet, adding that official records estimate the teenager's age to be around 16 to 17 years. The officer emphasized that parents should cultivate a friendly and open relationship with young children, highlighting that instances of extreme emotional reactions among teenagers have been rising.
