Bihar: 6 children drown in pond in Saharsa while preparing for Chhath
Six children drowned in a pond at Pulindabad village in Bihar's Saharsa district on Monday. The children were trying to clean the ghat of a pond and prepare a platform for performing Chhath puja (festival).
Six children drowned in a pond at Pulindabad village in Bihar's Saharsa district on Monday. The children were trying to clean the ghat of a pond and prepare a platform for performing Chhath puja (festival).
The children who lost their lives have been identified as Ankit Kumar, Saurav Kumar, Shubham Kumar, Raushan Kumar, Nitish Kumar and Sujit Kumar.
Saharsa district magistrate Shashi Bhushan Kumar confirmed the deaths and said that the children were in the age group of 10-15 years.
The government has announced a compensation of Rs 2.50 lakh for family of each victim.
Kumar said the district administration has given a relief of Rs 1.50 lakh for families of each victim, while the chief minister has announced a compensation of Rs 1 lakh for each of them. "In addition to this, each bereaved family has been given Rs 1500 under Kabir 'anthyesthi' scheme."
"The incident took place in a private pond at Sulindabad under town police station. The rescue team is searching for one more child, who is said to be missing," Kumar further said.
The people of the area have charged the local administration with negligence. Locals said first two children got drowned and then others met the same fate trying to save their friends.
The people staying near the two ghats have decided not celebrate the Chhath festival.
Saharsa MLA Alok Ranjan has demanded a relief of Rs 5 lakh for families of each victim. "We have also demanded a probe into the matter, as it is quite surprising how the district administration was not aware about the ghat," Ranjan added.
