Cops prevent freedom fighter’s ‘jal samadhi’ bid

A 98-year-old freedom fighter, who tried to jump into the Yamuna river in Agra district on Sunday and take ‘Jal Samadhi’, was prevented in time by the police. Chimman Lal Jain had announced a few days ago that he would take ‘Jal Samadhi’ if complete prohibition was not imposed in Uttar Pradesh.

He has been campaigning for the introduction of liquor ban for a long time.

Mr Jain set out with his followers and Garib Sena volunteers towards the Yamuna river and then sat on the road shouting slogans in favour of prohibition.

Officers of Chatta police station stopped him from marching ahead and, after much persuasion, took him to the police station. SHO Shatrumanjay Kumar Singh told reporters, “He is a senior citizen and precious to all of us. We cannot allow him to end his life.”

After his release from the police station, Mr Jain said that he would continue his ‘satyagrah’ against liquor addiction, particularly in Dalit dwellings. Mr Jain had participated in the Quit India Movement in 1942 and is a staunch Gandhian.