A tragic incident marred the New Year celebrations in Haridwar on Thursday morning when a young woman was swept away by the powerful current of the Ganga river while performing a ritual bath.
Details of the Haridwar Ghat Tragedy
The victim has been identified as Manju Singh, aged 20. A resident of Vikas Colony living in a rented accommodation with her family, Manju worked at a company located in the State Infrastructure and Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited (SIDCUL) area. Her family originally hails from Moradabad district in Uttar Pradesh.
The incident occurred at Shri Ram Ghat, under the jurisdiction of the City Kotwali police station. According to her parents, Manju had gone alone to the ghat for the ceremonial New Year's bath but failed to return home.
Search Operation Launched
Worried family members went searching for her and made a grim discovery at the riverbank. They found her clothes and slippers left behind, immediately alerting the police. The City Kotwali police station swiftly launched a search operation.
City Kotwali Station House Officer (SHO) Ritesh Sah provided details of the incident, stating, "She went to take a bath in the Ganga river, where she lost her balance and was swept away by the strong current." Despite continuous efforts by police divers throughout the day, the search for Manju remained unsuccessful until late evening.
Authorities have also informed the Pathri power house downstream to remain vigilant and assist in tracing her body, highlighting the extensive measures being taken in the recovery efforts.
Ongoing Efforts and Community Impact
The police search operation is ongoing, with divers combing the river. This unfortunate event has cast a shadow over the festive period and serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by the river's strong currents, especially during ritual baths.
The local community in Haridwar and her colleagues at the SIDCUL area company are in shock, awaiting news from the search teams. The incident underscores the critical need for heightened safety awareness at ghats, particularly during peak religious and festive occasions when devotees gather in large numbers.
