ANJUNA: In an engrossing rescue operation Mapusa Fire Department successfully rescued an Uttar Pradesh native who was found atop a huge banyan tree, near Kirti Vidyalaya, Siolim. The person was stuck at a height of 60 to 70 feet above the ground.
Anjuna PI Prashal Desai stated that the person identified as Shrikanth Maurya, 35 from Prayagraj, is mentally unsound. He narrated that the man was spotted on the tree between 3 and 4 pm on Sunday, but refused to come down. The Mapusa Fire Brigade finally rescued him from the tree after an overnight ordeal at 6 am on Monday.
A girl frm the vicinit first saw something suspicious on the tree and informed her father Sandeep Shetgaonkar. Shetgaonkar said he brought his binoculars, spotted that it was a man up the tree. On hearing the news, residents of Siolim gathered there and informed the local authorities, and the Anjuna Police and Mapusa Fire Brigade. Realising the gravity of the situation on Sunday evening, the Anjuna Police and Mapusa Fire Service converged quickly at the scene.
The remarkable challenge posed by the rugged surroundings and the sheer expansiveness of the tree presented a formidable obstacle to the rescue efforts. Realizing the need for additional resources, the Mapusa Fire Brigade sought assistance from the Panjim Fire Brigade crane, which proved invaluable during the operation.
Mapusa Fire personnel present at the spot said that the man who had climbed up a tree refused to come down. Despite their best efforts, the man refused any assistance, insisting that he would descend on his own. This is the second time that emergency services have been called to the scene, following two separate calls received earlier in the evening, informed fire personnel.
Given the sensitive nature of the case the fire personnel urged the local residents to cooperate by clearing the area surrounding the tree and returning to the safety of their homes. They emphasized that police personnel had also been deployed to ensure the safety of both the curious onlookers and the man perched atop the tree.
After hours of patiently persuading, the individual finally relented and agreed to descend from the tree, on Monday morning.
Anjuna PI said that the man has been admitted to Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour, Bambolim for treatment.
