FOUR PERSONS INCLUDING THREE CHILDREN MET THEIR WATERY GRAVE DURING NAVRATRI

FOUR PERSONS INCLUDING THREE CHILDREN MET THEIR WATERY GRAVE DURING NAVRATRI

17-OCT-ENG 6

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-------------------------------A major tragedy struck Bihar during the festive atmosphere of Navratri when four people, including three children, drowned in the Son River in Bhojpur district on Saturday. The incident occurred near Tirthankaul (also referred to as Tirthakol or Tithkaul) village under Sandesh police station area while the victims were bathing in the river.

According to reports, three children aged between 10 and 15 years began drowning after slipping into a deep pit in the river. A young man who saw them in distress jumped into the water to save them but was himself pulled under by the deep water and strong currents. All four lost their lives. The deceased have been identified as:

• Sudhir Kumar, 30, son of Arvind Yadav (or Arvind Kumar) and Usha Devi
• Prem Kumar, 12, son of Mintu Sharma and Pinki Devi
• Shivam Kumar, 10, son of Mintu Sharma and Pinki Devi
• Akash Sharma, 15, son of Vinod Sharma and Sima Devi

Chaos erupted at the spot after the incident. Local residents immediately informed the police and administration. Teams rushed to the site and recovered all four bodies after considerable effort. Sandesh Block Development Officer (BDO) Binesh Kumar and Station House Officer Sanjeev Kumar set up camp at the location in view of the seriousness of the accident. Crowds of grieving relatives and villagers gathered at the scene as the news spread, plunging the entire village and surrounding areas into mourning.

The heartbreaking event has left four families devastated. Homes that were filled with the normal rhythm of daily life only hours earlier are now filled with cries of grief. Coming amid the celebrations of Navratri, the tragedy has shocked the region.

CPI(ML) leaders responded promptly. District office secretary Dilraj Preetam and Ara Nagar Committee member Randhir Rana reached Ara Sadar Hospital, coordinated with officials, and ensured the post-mortem procedures were completed. Central committee member and Ara MP Sudama Prasad spoke to the bereaved families over the phone, expressed his condolences, and demanded immediate compensation from the district administration under disaster management provisions.

Party leaders have also raised serious concerns about uncontrolled sand mining in the Son River. They argue that illegal and excessive excavation has created dangerous deep pits that pose a constant threat to local residents. CPI(ML) has demanded a thorough investigation into mining activities, an effective ban on illegal sand extraction, and stronger safety measures along the river. Leaders noted that MP Sudama Prasad has repeatedly raised the issue of Son River mining in Parliament, yet effective control remains lacking. They have specifically called for the government to provide ₹4 lakh as immediate financial assistance to each of the four affected families.

The incident has once again highlighted the risks of unsupervised river bathing and the urgent need for better safety infrastructure, warning systems, and regulation of sand mining along Bihar’s rivers. As the administration processes compensation and further inquiries, the grieving families of Tirthankaul village continue to mourn an irreversible loss.