Sribhumi: A Muslim cleric in Assam is being praised for saving seven people after he used a mosque loudspeaker at dawn to alert an entire village about a sinking vehicle.
The incident occurred early Tuesday in Sribhumi district when a vehicle veered off the National Highway, slid into a pond and began to submerge. The passengers, who were asleep with the windows closed, were trapped as the car sank quickly, The Observer Post reported.
Imam Abdul Basit said he rushed outside after hearing a sudden crash and spotted headlights shining from underwater. Sensing the urgency, he grabbed the mosque microphone and broadcast an alert, urging villagers to respond immediately.
“I saw the car’s lights under the water and knew we had to act at once,” he was quoted as saying.
Residents soon ran to the pond, dove into the chilly water, smashed the car windows and pulled out all seven occupants moments before the vehicle went under. The passengers, all Hindus, were travelling from Silchar to Tripura.
Local cleric Maulana Abdul Hafeez lauded Basit’s swift response, calling it “a true message of humanity.”
Basit said his reaction was instinctive. “We didn’t think about religion. Saving lives was all that mattered,” he said.
The rescue has drawn widespread praise. Local BJP leader Iqbal visited Basit to thank him, and police officials say they plan to recommend him for an official honour.
