Almost five days after two-year-old Fatehveer fell into 150-foot-deep borewell, the Punjab Government plunged into trouble over its alleged “inaction” and “tardy” rescue operations in the matter. It took more than 90 hours for the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to react.
Facing criticism virtually from all quarters, a slew of directions surfaced on Monday after the Government was shaken out of slumber including covering of all borewells across Punjab.
With Fatehveer oscillating between life and death since Thursday evening after falling in an abandoned borewell in Sangrur’s Bhagwanpura village and after the local hit the street protesting against the state authorities for its failure to rescue the child even after five days, the Chief Minister on Monday took to Twitter to show that he was not only aware but was also keeping a tab on the prevailing situation.
He even went on to issue directions to all the Deputy Commissioners to ensure that no open borewell existed in any district, while seeking the report within 24 hours.
Capt Amarinder also shared a helpline number asking the people to share if they have information about any such open borewells in their areas.
“Constantly monitoring the rescue operations by @NDRFHQ, local administration & outside experts, which has reached the required depth & are locating Fatehveer. @VijayIndrSingla & Sangrur DC are overseeing the rescue ops. We stand with his family & pray for his well being,” tweeted the Chief Minister.
In related tweet, Capt Amarinder wrote, “Have directed all DCs to ensure that no such open borewell exists in any of the districts & have asked them to submit a report within 24 hours. You can call on our helpline number 0172-2740397 if you have information about any such open borewells in your area.”
Besides the entire district administration and team of doctors, the state cabinet minister and local MLA Vijay Inder Singla was stationed at the spot.
The child, Fatehveer Singh, stumbled into the borewell that was covered with cement bags at around 4 pm on June 6, according to his mother Gagandeep Kaur. The rescue team, comprising 26 members of the NDRF, the army and the district administration staff, was conducting the operation.
There was no official update on the health of the child. A movement in the child's body was noticed at 5 am on Saturday, almost 40 hours after he fell into the borewell. After that no movement was potted.
Lack of expertise and technical snags were blamed for the delay in the rescue operation.