18-year-old girl and mother drown after argument over mobile phone in Rajasthan

JAISALMER: Mobile phone addiction among children and young people is increasingly becoming a serious concern, affecting not only individuals but also their families and society. In many cases, such addiction leads to impulsive decisions with tragic consequences.A heartbreaking incident of this nature has come to light from the Gudamalani police station area of Balotra district.On Saturday late evening, an 18-year-old girl from Sili village allegedly jumped into a water reservoir (diggi) after her mother refused to give her a mobile phone. Seeing her daughter fall into the reservoir, the mother immediately jumped in to save her.Tragically, both drowned and lost their lives. Local residents and family members rushed to the spot and pulled the two out of the reservoir. Upon receiving information, Gudamalani police arrived at the scene and shifted the bodies to the mortuary of Gudamalani Hospital.The victim’s maternal family in Chitalwana, Jalore district, has been informed, and further action will be taken after their arrival and submission of a report.According to information from Gudamalani Police Station, the incident occurred on Saturday evening when the daughter was demanding a mobile phone.Her mother refused, saying that the younger children were sleeping and that she would give it to her later. Upset by the refusal, the girl reportedly walked to a nearby water reservoir and sat there.Police said that the deceased have been identified as Anita alias Indra (38), wife of Rajuram, and her daughter Suman (18), residents of Sili village in the Gudamalani area of Balotra district.As Suman became increasingly upset, her mother informed family members and went to console her.According to the police's preliminary investigation, Suman suddenly jumped into the water reservoir (diggi) after seeing her mother approaching her.Seeing her daughter fall into the water, Anita immediately jumped into the reservoir to save her without hesitation.In an attempt to rescue her daughter, Anita immediately jumped in after her.However, due to the deep water, neither of them could get out and they began to drown. Within a short time, both the mother and daughter were submerged in the water and lost their lives.A nearby goat herder heard cries for help and alerted local residents, who rushed to the scene and pulled both women out of the water. They were taken to Gudamalani Hospital, where doctors declared them dead.Police have preserved the bodies in the hospital mortuary and informed the maternal side of the family.A preliminary investigation has been initiated based on the initial findings.According to local sources, Anita is survived by four children: three daughters and one son. Suman, the eldest child, had recently passed her Class 12 examinations and was preparing to seek admission to college.The family’s primary livelihood comes from farming, and Suman’s father also operates a water RO plant.