Women battle crocodiles to save child, husband in separate incidents in UP's Bahraich
Bahraich (UP), Aug 20 (PTI): Two women in the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh emerged as local heroes after they risked their lives to fight off crocodiles in separate incidents -- one saving her five-year-old son and the other rescuing her husband.
The first incident occurred in Dhakiya village in the Khairighat area on Sunday, when a seven-foot-long crocodile dragged a boy, Veeru, into a drain linked to the swollen Ghaghra river.
His mother, Maya, rushed to the spot, hearing his cries.
"My child was trapped in the crocodile's jaws. I jumped in without thinking of my life. The crocodile was pulling him, but I held on to him with all my strength. I had an iron rod and I struck it again and again until it let go," she told reporters.
Divisional Forest Officer of Bahraich, Ram Singh Yadav, confirmed that the child sustained injuries but is now stable.
"Nets have been placed at three points in the drain to capture the crocodile, but it has not been caught yet. People are being made aware not to go near water bodies as crocodiles tend to move into canals and streams during the monsoon," the officer said.
In the second incident in Madhavapur village in the Motipur area, 45-year-old Saifu was crossing the Ramtaliya canal with his wife Surjana and sister-in-law when a crocodile lunged at him, biting his leg.
As Saifu cried for help, Surjana flung her sari into the water, which he grabbed onto. Villagers rushed in and beat the crocodile with sticks until it released him.
Saifu was first treated at a local hospital and later shifted to Bahraich Medical College, where doctors are monitoring his condition.
Forest officials in the Katarniaghat wildlife division said heavy rains have increased water levels in rivers and canals, pushing crocodiles closer to inhabited areas.
Teams have been deployed, and rescue operations for crocodiles are on. People have been strictly advised to avoid going near canals and rivers, an official said.
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Meghalaya: Interstate ATM theft racket busted, 6 arrested
Shillong (PTI): An interstate racket involved in ATM thefts across several states has been busted, with the arrest of six persons in connection with a break-in at an electronic banking outlet in Meghalaya's Ri-Bhoi district, police said on Wednesday.
The accused were allegedly involved in breaking into an ATM of the Meghalaya Cooperative Apex Bank on April 5, 2024, they said.
Three of the accused were arrested from Barpeta in Assam, while the remaining were apprehended from Haryana, police said.
Ri-Bhoi SP Giri Prasad M said a special police team was constituted to investigate the case.
"With coordinated efforts and assistance from Assam and Haryana Police, we were able to apprehend the accused involved in the ATM break-in," he told PTI.
The case was registered at Umiam police station under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
According to police, the gang used gas cutters to break open the ATM safe and fled with the cash within minutes.
"The group is part of a larger network involved in similar ATM thefts across different states. Further investigation is underway to dismantle the entire network," the SP added.
