UP: Police prevents 98-year-old freedom fighter from jumping into Yamuna

Agra: A 98-year-old freedom fighter, who has been campaigning against liquor addiction, tried to jump into the Yamuna river here but was prevented from doing so by the police.

Chimman Lal Jain had few days ago said that he would take 'Jal Samadhi' to demand total prohibition in Uttar Pradesh. As he set out with his followers and Garib Sena volunteers towards the Yamuna river, Chatta police station cops obstructed his march.

Jain along with his followers sat on the road as the they all shouted slogans.

"We can not allow him to end his life. He is so precious to the society," said SHO Shatrumanjay Kumar Singh.

After persuasion for half-an-hour, Jain was forced into a police jeep and taken to the police station.

After his release, the freedom fighter said he would continue his satyagraha against liquor addiction particularly in the Dalit bastis.

Jain had participated in 'Jail Bharo' that was part of the Quit India Movement in 1942. In 1962, Jain had started a movement in Fatehpur Sikri to check liquor sale there.