Kanpur: In a dramatic incident on Tuesday morning, an intoxicated man climbed a 50-foot-high water tank in Jarauli Phase-1, located in the Barra police station area of Kanpur, and threatened to jump off. The man, identified as Shailendra Dubey, an auto driver, sparked a chaotic scene that lasted over two hours before police successfully persuaded him to come down.
Police Response and Standoff
After receiving information about the incident, police rushed to the spot. They attempted to appeal to Dubey through a megaphone, urging him to descend, but he refused. A large crowd gathered, creating a tense and chaotic atmosphere. A police officer began climbing the tank, but Dubey threatened to jump and end his life, forcing the officer to retreat.
Police asked Dubey the reason for his drastic action. He revealed that his auto had broken down and he lacked the funds to repair it. In an effort to de-escalate the situation, police assured him they would provide money for the repairs. This promise eventually convinced Dubey to climb down safely.
Background of the Incident
According to police, Shailendra Dubey was addicted to alcohol and owned two autos, both of which had broken down and were sent to a garage for repairs. With his income halted due to the non-functional vehicles, Dubey faced significant financial distress. He had been using his savings to buy alcohol.
On Tuesday morning, Dubey asked his father, Chandra Kumar Dubey, for money to repair the autos, but his father refused. Angered, Dubey went to a liquor shop, purchased alcohol, and climbed the water tank. Once atop the tank, he consumed alcohol and began abusing passers-by. When bystanders tried to reason with him, he became more agitated and continued hurling abuses.
Someone alerted the police about the commotion. Officers arrived and tried to persuade Dubey to come down using a loudspeaker, but he threatened suicide. Police then called his family members to the scene. Although the family agreed to provide money, Dubey still refused to descend. Only when police officers themselves offered to pay for the repairs did he finally climb down.
Aftermath
Following the rescue, police sent Dubey to a de-addiction centre. Barra inspector Ravindra Kumar Shrivastava stated, "The man had climbed the water tank due to financial distress. He was in an inebriated state at the time. He has been safely brought down and sent to a de-addiction centre."
This incident highlights the intersection of addiction, financial hardship, and mental health struggles. The police's patient negotiation and promise of assistance prevented a potential tragedy.
