Patiala: Despite the ban, youth are bathing in the canal in Patiala

Patiala: Despite the deaths in the recent incidents, local residents, mostly students, continue to put themselves at risk by swimming in the Bhakra Canal. Despite the ban, youths continue to dive and click photographs on the Bhakra Canal bridge on Patiala-Sangrur and Nabha Road. When The Tribune visited the Bhakra Main Line near Pasiana police station, youths, including school children, were seen taking a dip there. Even near the Century Enclave police post on Nabha Road, youths were seen diving into the canal. Some youths were seen sitting on the banks of the canal and making videos. The youths taking a dip in the canal told The Tribune that they had come to get relief from the scorching heat. When asked about any fear of bathing in the canal, they quickly replied, “We are good swimmers and this is our daily routine.”

Two days ago, three girls from Bhakra Village were found dead in the canal. Police are investigating the matter. The girls, Muskan (17), Billi (14) and Priya (14), left their home on June 12 afternoon and went missing. Divers later recovered their bodies in the canal. Police said they were awaiting the post-mortem to proceed with the investigation. Earlier, orders were issued under Section 144 of the CrPC, prohibiting residents from bathing and swimming in canals. Signboards warning people have been put up near the canal, senior police officials said, adding that they would start registering cases against violators. “People can report violators to the police control room. Everyone needs to be careful while going around the canal,” an official said.