Sunday in Tonk district, Rajasthan, witnessed a devastating tragedy. Eight young men from Jaipur, who had gone for a picnic, tragically drowned in the Banas River. Initially enjoying themselves while seeking relief from the heat, their fun turned into a collective tragedy when one slipped, triggering a chain of events.
A wave of mourning swept through Jaipur following the incident. The local administration arrived on the scene, recovered the bodies, and transported them to Jaipur late at night, where the families were inconsolable.
The Full Story of the Incident
The accident occurred on the banks of the Banas River in the Nagwa police station area of Tonk district. Eight friends from Jhotwara and Karni Vihar areas of Jaipur set out on Sunday morning for a picnic. Around midday, they reached the Banas River and, after eating, entered the water to swim. According to eyewitnesses, 22-year-old Shahid, without gauging the depth, was swept away by the b current. His friends, unable to swim, jumped in to save him, but were also caught in the current. One by one, they were swept away.
Rescue Operation and Administrative Response
Upon receiving information about the incident, the Tonk police and SDRF team immediately arrived at the scene. The rescue operation lasted approximately five hours. By evening, all the bodies had been recovered. Tonk Superintendent of Police (SP) Umesh Kumar stated: "This unfortunate accident is a result of negligence. There were no life jackets or safety measures in the area, and the young men were unaware of the river's depth."
Who Were the Young Men?
The deceased young men belonged to middle-class families in Jaipur. The victims included Shahid (22), Faizan (21), Amir (23), Zubair (22), Saqib (20), Salman (21), Farhan (19), and Yunus (24). Most were either college students or employed in small private jobs. They were childhood friends and often went out together.
Mourning in Jaipur
News of the tragedy caused widespread grief in Jaipur. Late Sunday night, as the bodies arrived in Jaipur by ambulance, a silence fell over the neighborhoods. Hundreds gathered outside homes, eyes filled with tears. Consoling the families proved difficult. Shahid's father, Riyaz Ahmad, said: "They left this morning, laughing. They said they'd be back by evening. Now, only their funeral processions are coming. How can anyone bear this?"
Questions Raised About Safety at the Banas River
This tragedy once again raises questions about the lack of government oversight and safety measures at picnic spots. There were no warning signs, no guards, and no lifeguards. Fencing along the riverbank, along with warning signs and patrolling teams, should be mandatory. This is not the first such incident, but hopefully, it will be the last.
