A 16-year-old boy drowned in a canal in Desu Jodhan village, Sirsa, on Saturday, even as the government has banned bathing in canals and ponds. The incident occurred when Dharendra Kumar, a resident of Mirchpur, Uttar Pradesh, went swimming with friends near a brick-kiln, where his family worked. He reportedly entered deep waters and did not come up.
A police team reached the spot after receiving information from locals and pulled the boy out of the canal with their help. He was taken to the Odhan Community Health Centre in an unconscious state, where doctors declared him dead.
Boy’s father Santlal, along with family, works as a labourer at the brick-kiln. The police have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances that led to the death.
Authorities have urged locals to follow safety rules and avoid swimming in canals and ponds.