SADIQABAD, July 2: Five children drowned on Wednesday within hours of releasing water in the Abbasia link canal.

According to reports, the irrigation officials released water after completing necessary work on the canal.

At Basti Dodi from where the water was awashing, five minor children jumped into the canal, but could not withstand the pressure of waves and drowned.

The bodies were retrieved after a couple of hours and brought pal of gloom in their homes.

Meanwhile, residents blasted the irrigation department higher-ups for not informing them about the release of water.

SENTENCE: A drug peddler was sentenced to 14-year imprisonment and fined Rs40,000 by an additional district and sessions judge here on Tuesday.