A tragic drowning incident claimed three lives on Tuesday morning around 11:30 am at Lachhaura village near the Narmada River in Harda district. Among the deceased was a courageous labourer who died while attempting to rescue two youths.
The victims have been identified as Devendra alias Devu Jat (23) of Dagmanima village, Karan Sirohi (20) of Bhunnas village, and Ramdas (38), a labourer from Laharpur village.
According to Anil Gurjar, in-charge of the Karatana police outpost, Devendra Jat, Karan Sirohi, and Mohit Jat had gone to bathe in the river on the occasion of Amavasya. While swimming, the group inadvertently entered a deeper section of the river where the current was strong, resulting in the youths getting swept away.
Ramdas, who was present at the ghat offering prayers, heard the cries for help and immediately jumped into the river. He successfully rescued Mohit Jat and brought him to safety. However, when he re-entered the water to save Devendra and Karan, he was caught in the current and drowned along with them.
Home Guard and police personnel responded promptly and recovered the bodies from the river. The deceased were taken to the district hospital in Timarni for postmortem, after which their bodies were handed over to their respective families.
Devendra Jat was a farmer and the eldest of three brothers. He had married two years ago and is survived by his wife and a seven-month-old son. Karan Sirohi, also a farmer, was the youngest of two brothers and unmarried. Ramdas, hailed as a hero for his selfless act, is survived by two sons and a daughter.
Ramnarayan Banjara, a close friend of Ramdas and an eyewitness, said they had just finished bathing when they noticed the youths struggling. “Ramdas didn’t hesitate. He jumped in and saved one, but tragically lost his life trying to save the others,” he recalled.
A panchnama was conducted at the scene and further investigations are underway.