Vikasnagar – A 24-year-old labourer from Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh went missing after slipping into the Shaktinahar canal near Matak Majri in Vikasnagar on Wednesday evening. The victim has been identified as Mohammad Arif, a resident of Gupta Colony in Gola Gokarnath area of Lakhimpur Kheri district.
According to the police, Arif had recently been living in Bada Rampur under the Selaqui police station area and worked as a daily wage labourer. On Wednesday, he had come to Kulhal with his wife, three-year-old son and brothers in an e-rickshaw to visit Bhureshah’s shrine. While returning in the evening, the child soiled the e-rickshaw near Matak Majri, following which Arif stepped into the canal to collect water to clean the vehicle.
Officials said the water level in the canal was relatively low, but algae had accumulated along the edge, making the surface slippery. Arif reportedly lost his balance and fell into the fast-flowing canal, from where he was swept away within seconds.
On receiving information, police and SDRF teams reached the spot and launched a search operation in the canal. However, Arif could not be traced. Due to darkness, the search had to be suspended late in the evening and will resume on Thursday.
Kothwali in-charge Vinod Singh Gusain said the family members informed police about the circumstances leading to the incident. During the incident, Arif’s younger brother Mohammad Adil jumped into the canal in an attempt to save him but also began drowning. A local swimmer present at the site managed to rescue Adil, but by then Arif had already been carried away by the strong current.
Police officials stated that if Adil had not jumped into the canal, the swimmer might have been able to reach Arif in time. The incident once again highlights the risk posed by open canals in the area, especially where safety measures and warning signs are inadequate.
