Criminal negligence: Family protests after child drowns in manhole

“The Wasa officers are responsible for the death of the innocent girl,” protester said.

FAISALABAD:

Family and neighbours staged a protest demonstration on Wednesday after a three-year-old girl died after falling into an open manhole near Samundri Road.

Talking to reporters, Imran Khan, father of deceased Sobia, said she was playing outside her home near Korian Bridge, Samundri Road when she slipped and fell into an open manhole.

“Some passers by tried to pull her out, but could not reach her. She drowned. Her body was taken out later,” he said.

Ashiq Ali, one of the protesters, said that the lid of the manhole had been stolen three months ago. “We repeatedly requested the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) officials to provide a lid for the open manhole. However, no one from the Wasa was ready to pay any heed to our requests,” he said.

“The Wasa officers are responsible for the death of the innocent girl,” Ashiq said.

The D-Type Colony station house officer (SHO) arrived at the scene along with a police contingent. He assured the protesters that an inquiry would be conducted to determine the responsibility of Wasa officials.

Police also sent the body for post mortem examination.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 4^th, 2014.