Shocking Discovery in Punjab Village: Two Foetuses Found in Nullah
In a deeply disturbing incident, residents of Rupana village in Punjab's Muktsar district made a chilling discovery on Thursday. As the water in a local nullah receded, they found two foetuses lying on the muddy canal bed, with one still having the placenta attached.
Immediate Response and Investigation
Police and health officials rushed to the scene as soon as the news broke. Rupana village is located barely 10 kilometers from Muktsar Sahib and approximately 160 kilometers west of Ludhiana. The foetuses were promptly taken to Muktsar Civil Hospital for further examination.
Hakam Singh, the inquiry officer from Sadar police station, confirmed the recovery and stated that it is not yet known whether the foetuses were from the same mother or if they were discarded by different individuals.
Initial Confusion and Medical Procedures
Dr. Rajiv Sachdeva, the Senior Medical Officer (SMO) of Muktsar, explained that initially, villagers and police thought there were three foetuses due to the placenta still being attached to one. This led to some confusion before the actual count was clarified.
The foetuses will be preserved in a mortuary for 72 hours, after which a postmortem examination will be conducted to gather more details. Sources indicate that both foetuses appear to be around 2 to 3 months old, suggesting early stages of pregnancy.
Ongoing Efforts to Identify the Mother(s)
In an effort to trace the mother or mothers involved, the district family planning officer has been instructed to collect detailed information about pregnancies and childbirths in the area. This step is crucial for identifying any potential leads in this sensitive case.
Police suspect that the deliveries might have been conducted by unqualified practitioners, such as quacks or traditional birth attendants known as 'dais'. Teams have been deployed to interview such individuals in the vicinity as part of the investigation.
The discovery has sent shockwaves through the local community, raising concerns about illegal practices and the need for stricter monitoring of healthcare services in rural areas.
