North India Statesman
News India Live, Digital Desk: On the conclusion of the great festival of faith, Chaiti Chhath, heart-wrenching news is coming out from different districts of Bihar. More than 10 people died due to drowning while taking bath in Ganga and other water bodies while offering Arghya to the rising sun. In areas like Patna, Arrah (Bhojpur) and Maner, happiness turned into mourning. Despite all the preparations by the administration and the presence of SDRF deployed at the ghats, these tragic accidents happened, which has created an outcry among the families of the deceased.
Situation out of control in Patna and Maner A huge crowd had gathered during the Arghya at the ghats of Maner and Danapur adjacent to the capital Patna. Three youths lost their lives due to drowning after going into deep water at Balua Ghat in Maner. According to eyewitnesses, the youth suddenly slipped into a deep ravine while taking bath. At the same time, sporadic incidents of drowning have been reported at other ghats of Patna also. After much effort, local divers pulled out the bodies, which have been sent for post-mortem.
Two lamps of the same family extinguished in Ara (Bhojpur) The situation in Arrah of Bhojpur district was also extremely heartbreaking. Death of four people has been confirmed due to drowning during Arghya at different ghats here. It is being told that two of them were real brothers, who were taking a holy bath after offering Arghya to the Sun. Seeing one drowning, the other tried to save him, but both got drowned in the strong current of the waves. After the incident, there is silence in the entire village and the joy of the festival has turned into tears.
Questions raised on administrative promptness Regarding Chaiti Chhath, the government and local administration had deployed barricades and SDRF at the ghats with strong claims of security. But at many places devotees tried to cross the barricades and go into deep water, which proved fatal. Villagers allege that there was a shortage of divers at some ghats and help could not be provided on time. At the same time, officials say that these accidents happened due to sudden fluctuations in water level and deep potholes.
Assurance of compensation to the families of the deceased Bihar government has expressed deep sorrow over these accidents. The concerned District Magistrates (DM) have announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each from the Disaster Relief Fund to the families of the deceased. In a message issued from the Chief Minister’s Office, people have been appealed to exercise caution on the banks of water bodies and take bath only at marked ghats. At present, relief and rescue operations have been completed in all the affected areas and the police are monitoring the situation.
