E Arun
Port Blair, June 20: In a truly heroic act, a youth of Dugnabad today saved three people, who were trapped inside a collapsed house.
According to reports the incident took place today at around 5.00 AM, when the Dugnabad youth, Mohd Arif, 29 years old had just finished his morning prayers (Namaz). Suddenly Arif heard a loud sound outside his house and when he reached close, he saw that due to land sliding one newly constructed toilet block of one house fell on another semi RCC house, trapping one person and his two sons beneath.
According to Arif he saw, the wife of the trapped person was screaming for help. The third child of the couple, anyhow escaped the disaster and came out safely from the collapsed house.
According to reports, the person who was living in the rented semi RCC house was trapped under a heavy piece of concrete slab while two of his children were trapped in a corner of the collapsed house.
One seeing three people in distress, Mohd Arif immediately ran for help but it was his bad luck that he lost his balance while rushing and fell down, which caused fracture in his left leg. But even after severe injuries Arif did not give up, he reached near the collapsed house and saved all three people.
The cause of land slide, violation of building norms etc are totally separate issue and there must be some inquiry in this regard but the story of Mohd. Arif’s bravery is unparallel.
As he works in a private shop, this fracture will mean too much of financial loss for Mohd. Arif but saving three lives will be his life time achievement. The Lt. Governor and Administration must honour Mohd. Arif with Lt. Governor’s Commendation Certificate and also sanction some financial assistance for him so that others get encouragement.
