2 die during sewer line cleaning

Two persons reportedly died of asphyxiation while cleaning a blocked sewer line at the NCC academy here today. An Army man, who entered the sewer to help the sanitation worker who had fainted, was also hit by gas. He is battling for life in the Civil Hospital.

The deceased have been identified as Bigan Bhagat, a UP native and contractual sanitation worker; and Pintu Kumar, Havildar of 23 Battalion, Punjab. Havildar Parshotam Lal was battling for life at the local Civil Hospital.

Local residents said Bhagat went into the pit first. He cried for help and fell unconscious. Pintu entered the sewer line to help Bhagat. Soon, Parshotam also went down to lend a helping hand to Pintu but fainted.

Rupnagar Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. A case has been registered in this regard.