Jaisalmer: On a day when families across the country were celebrating Raksha Bandhan, a young Agniveer soldier, who had come home on leave, drowned in a water tank at his agricultural field in Barmer Friday.The incident occurred in Pareu village under the Gida police station area of Balotra district. The deceased, identified as Jogaram, had gone to the farm in the morning to take a bath. While drawing water from the farm tank, he reportedly slipped and fell into the tank and drowned.According to police, family members initially believed Jogaram had gone out for his morning walk. When he did not return for a long time, they called his mobile phone, but there was no response.The family then began searching for him and reached the agricultural field.Jogaram’s clothes were found lying near the water tank. On looking inside, the family members found his body floating in the water. They informed the police, following which Gida SHO Achlaram reached the spot with police personnel.The body was taken out of the tank in the presence of family members and shifted to the Gida hospital mortuary. After the post-mortem examination, police registered a case of accidental death based on the family’s report and initiated an investigation.The tragedy cast a pall of gloom over the family on Raksha Bandhan.Following information about the incident, a Subedar and other Army personnel from Jalipa in Barmer also reached Pareu and met the bereaved family members. They gathered details about the incident and offered condolences to the family.According to family members, Jogaram had been selected as an Agniveer in the Indian Army in 2023. He had returned to his village on leave about a week ago.The tragedy has also forced his two brothers to rush home. His elder brother Sawairam, who serves in the Army’s Artillery and is currently posted in Sikkim, left for the village immediately after receiving the news of Jogaram’s death. His other brother, who is in Maharashtra, has also started his journey home.The family said the last rites would be performed on Saturday morning after both brothers reach the village.Jogaram is survived by his parents and two brothers. What was meant to be a day of Raksha Bandhan celebrations instead turned into a day of mourning for the family.
