A tragic incident in Gujarat's Kutch district has claimed the life of a 17-year-old boy, who reportedly jumped into a borewell after a heated argument with family members over his wish to rent an expensive mobile phone. The dispute, which began on Saturday evening, escalated into a desperate night-long rescue mission involving multiple agencies, but ended with the teenager's death at a hospital in Bhuj.
What Triggered the Tragedy?
According to officials from the Paddhari police, the deceased has been identified as Rustam Sheikh, a native of Jharkhand. Rustam had been living and working on a farm in Kukma village of Bhuj taluka for the past few months, alongside his cousin. The fateful evening of Saturday took a dark turn when a seemingly minor disagreement over Rustam's desire to rent a costly mobile device spiraled into a major argument.
Upset by the altercation, Rustam walked away from the field area. A short while later, he was discovered to have jumped into a deep, uncovered borewell, plunging the local community and authorities into a race against time.
The Desperate Overnight Rescue Effort
What followed was an intense and coordinated rescue operation that lasted through the night. Multiple agencies swung into action, including:
- Local Police
- Mamlatdar Office
- Fire Brigade
- Health Department
- An Army Disaster-Response Team
Officials stated that oxygen support was provided to the boy while he was still trapped in the borewell shaft. Bhuj Deputy Superintendent of Police M J Christian noted that the boy was initially responsive, prompting immediate efforts to stabilise his condition. The arduous operation finally succeeded in pulling Rustam out around 3 am on Sunday.
A Tragic Outcome and Ongoing Inquiry
Despite the relentless efforts, Rustam remained unconscious after being rescued. He was rushed to the G K General Hospital in Bhuj, where doctors later declared him dead. The police have filed an accidental death report and are investigating the precise circumstances that led to this heartbreaking loss.
The preliminary inquiry strongly suggests the argument over the mobile phone was the trigger. However, authorities are also examining other potential contributing factors, including the condition of the borewell and whether any negligence on the part of the farm owner played a role in the tragedy. This incident highlights the critical need for safety measures around open borewells, especially in rural and agricultural areas.
