Inspector Jagdish Prasad who died during rescue work at Surajkund, to be accorded martyr status
Prasad, who joined the Haryana Armed Police in 1989 and was to retire next month, showed bravery in trying to save those trapped in the swing, but sustained severe injuries in the process, leading to his death .
PTC News Desk: Inspector Jagdish Prasad,58, the on duty officer who died while trying to rescue people at the Surajkund fair after a swing snapped mid-air, will be accorded the 'martyr' status, officials said.
Prasad, who joined the Haryana Armed Police in 1989 and was to retire next month, showed bravery in trying to save those trapped in the swing, but sustained severe injuries in the process, leading to his death, a senior officer said.
Around 19 people were on the swing when it tilted at about 6 pm on Saturday and crashed to the ground, injuring 11 people. DGP Ajay Singhal announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the inspector’s family and a government job for one family member.
The DGP said Inspector Prasad would be given the status of a martyr and praised him for losing his life while trying to save others. The district administration said the 39th Surajkund International Crafts Festival will continue on Sunday, but the swing area will remain closed until the investigation is completed.
Tourism Minister Arvind Sharma said the injured people are now out of danger. Officials added that a committee led by the additional deputy commissioner will investigate the accident, and a case has been registered against the swing operator.
Prasad, who is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son, was from Dengra village in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura district. His brother Pradeep said the family received the news around 8 pm on Saturday. Prasad’s wife Sudha lives with their children — daughters Nidhi and Deepti, and son Gaurav — in government accommodation at Sonipat Police Lines. He had also received a Police Medal from the governor in 2019-20.
This is the third accident involving a swing at the Surajkund fair. Earlier incidents in 2002 and 2019 had also raised safety concerns, and Saturday’s accident has again questioned the organisers’ safety measures.