Two days after a car carrying 11 people plunged into a canal in Bathinda, the police personnel involved in the dramatic rescue were honoured by Punjab DGP and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Kawariya Krishna — the first to jump into the water and initiate the rescue — has also been recognised for his bravery by the district administration.
Krishna, a devotee returning from Haridwar with kanwar jal, spotted the car sinking in the canal and, without hesitation, leapt in to save those trapped inside. His spontaneous act of courage helped save lives before the police even arrived at the spot. Despite this, he was initially overlooked during the official ceremony in Chandigarh where police officers were felicitated.
After media raised questions and highlighted Krishna’s role, SSP Amneet Kondal explained that while Krishna and other locals had indeed begun rescue efforts before the police reached, the operation was completed under considerable risk by the police team, warranting their official honour. She confirmed that the district administration has now invited Krishna and another civilian rescuer and will be felicitated soon.
The Day of the Incident
Narrating the events, PCR staffer Narender Singh — among those honoured — said he was on duty when a man alerted him that a car had fallen into the canal. “We reached within two minutes. I jumped in right away, and my colleague Jaswant followed, even though he can’t swim,” said Singh.
He broke the rear window of the submerged car and pulled out a child, followed by two women. “Our team used ropes to bring everyone out. Water had entered the child’s stomach, and he was treated on the spot. We’re thankful the CM honoured us.”
Jaswant Singh, who braved the waters despite being unable to swim, said, “Anyone else would have done the same. The current was strong, but I managed. It means a lot to be recognised.”
Krishna, a driver by profession and originally from Bihar, works in Bathinda. On July 23, while returning from Haridwar, he saw a car drifting in the canal and no one around to help. “I parked my bike and jumped in,” he said.
He managed to pull out several people before the police arrived. “The PCR came around 15 minutes later,” he recalled. “An officer joined me, and then more locals came to help. Once the crowd took over, I left quietly to offer the Ganga water to Lord Shiva.”
Now, with official recognition extended to him by the district administration, Krishna’s role in the rescue is being acknowledged alongside the bravery of the uniformed police.
Footage and images from the site show Krishna diving into the canal even before the police reached, followed by the vehicle being pulled out with a JCB machine.
As the state lauds its frontline police force for swift and brave action, Krishna — the kawariya whose selfless intervention kickstarted the rescue — has received his due recognition, affirming that courage, whether in uniform or not, does not go unnoticed.