India, Aug. 25 -- Three days after 15-year-old Mithun disappeared into an open drain in Jasola while trying to retrieve a kite, his family remains caught between hope and despair as multiple agencies continue the search. Mithun, a Class VIII student, fell into the drain near Jasola village on August 21 after reportedly losing his balance while retrieving a kite stuck in a tree. His father, Awadhesh, who works in the sewer sector, entered the drain himself on Sunday in a desperate attempt to find him. The incident has also triggered allegations over the civic response. Congress leader Arfa Khanum alleged delays and said residents had sought divers and machinery. Residents later staged protests, accusing authorities of failing to respond adequately. However, Manish Chaudhary, husband of MCD councillor Neetu Chaudhary, said NDRF personnel, civil defence divers and MCD machinery were deployed. He said the search was complicated by deep sludge, mud and underground pipes where the drain connects to the Agra Canal. For Mithun's family, the wait for their son continues.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.