A disturbing incident has come to light in a village of Punjab’s Muktsar district, where residents discovered two foetuses lying in a canal after the water level receded. One of the foetuses was reportedly found with the placenta still attached, raising serious concerns about the circumstances under which the deliveries took place.
The discovery was made on Thursday, prompting immediate action from the police and health authorities. Officials rushed to Rupana village, located around 10 kilometres from Muktsar Sahib, after locals informed the administration about the sighting in the canal bed. The foetuses were subsequently shifted to the Muktsar Civil Hospital for further examination.
According to preliminary information shared by the police, it is yet to be determined whether both foetuses belonged to the same woman or were discarded separately by different individuals. Medical experts have indicated that the foetuses appear to be approximately two to three months old. Initially, there was some confusion over the number of foetuses recovered, as the presence of the placenta led some to believe that there may have been three, but officials later clarified that only two were found.
A post-mortem examination has been planned after preserving the foetuses in the hospital mortuary for the mandatory period. Meanwhile, the district administration has been instructed to intensify efforts to identify the mother or mothers involved. The district family planning officer has been tasked with collecting data related to recent pregnancies and childbirths in the surrounding areas.
Police suspect that the deliveries may have been carried out illegally, possibly by unqualified practitioners or local midwives operating outside the formal healthcare system. Teams have been deployed to question such individuals and gather information that could help trace those responsible. The incident has sparked shock and concern among villagers, highlighting ongoing issues related to unsafe and unregulated medical practices in rural areas.
