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Khanna,July 27,UPDARED:9.55AM

A pilgrimage meant to invoke blessings turned into a night of despair when a Mahindra pick-up truck carrying about 25 villagers from Manakwal plunged into the Sirhind canal late Sunday night, leaving six people dead and five still missing. The accident occurred at the Jagera Bridge on Malerkotla road near Dehlon, around 25 km from Ludhiana.

A Journey Cut Short

The group had left Manakwal early Sunday to visit the revered Shri Naina Devi shrine in Himachal Pradesh, a trip many families in the region take every year. “It was a day of faith, devotion, and family bonding. We never imagined we would return like this,” said Harjit Singh, one of the survivors who managed to swim out of the fast-flowing canal.

Witnesses said the pickup, designed to carry goods, was dangerously overcrowded with men, women, and children packed tightly together. “While overtaking another vehicle, the driver lost control. Before anyone could understand what was happening, the vehicle broke through the railing and plunged straight into the canal,” said Rajinder Pal, a devotee who was traveling behind the pickup on a motorcycle.

Swift Response, Ongoing Search

On receiving an emergency call at 9:45 pm, Khanna SSP  Jyoti Yadav, Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain, and MLA Manvinder Singh Giaspura rushed to the site. Divers and disaster response teams worked through the night, pulling survivors and bodies from the canal’s deep waters.

“We have confirmed six deaths. Five persons are still missing, and rescue teams are continuing search operations despite strong currents,” said SSP  Yadav. She added that preliminary findings point towards overloading and rash driving as key factors.

Grief in Manakwal

Back in Manakwal, shock and grief swept through the narrow lanes as word of the accident spread. Many families waited by the roadside for news of their loved ones. “It is a small village; almost everyone knows everyone else. This is a collective tragedy,” said Kesar Singh, the village sarpanch, who had rushed to the accident site.

Sukhwinder Kaur, who lost her nephew in the accident, stood numb near the canal. “They had all gone for Mata Naina Devi’s darshan… how can this happen after a sacred trip?” she whispered, clutching her shawl tightly around her.

The Question of Safety

The accident has once again raised questions about the use of goods carriers for passenger transport, particularly for religious trips. “These vehicles are not designed to carry passengers, but they are cheaper and often used for pilgrimages. Unfortunately, safety is ignored until tragedy strikes,” said a rescue official at the scene.

Local residents have now demanded stricter enforcement of transport rules and an alternative arrangement for pilgrimage groups. “This should be the last such tragedy. The administration must step in before more lives are lost,” said Manvinder Singh Giaspura, MLA, who promised to raise the issue with the state government.The bodies of the victims were sent for post-mortem examinations, while the injured continue to receive treatment at Ludhiana and Khanna hospitals.