2 Class X students drown after idol immersion
Bhubaneswar: Two Class X students drowned in the Kuakhai river while bathing after immersing a Saraswati idol at Ranga Bazar under under Balianta police station limits here on Wednesday. The deceased were identified as Sikun Senapati and Dibyajayoti Mahalik, both from Unit VI area here.
Police sources said six students from a private tutorial centre, along with their teacher and a staff member, visited the Kuakhai riverbank for the immersion ceremony. “Post-ritual, Senapati and Mahalik ventured into the river for a swim. The strong current swept the two minors into deeper waters,” a police officer said.
Fire service personnel conducted a search operation and recovered their bodies after about an hour. They were immediately shifted to Capital Hospital, where doctors declared them brought dead.
“We are questioning the tuition teacher about his potential negligence. He should have stopped the children from bathing in the river. So far, we have not received any complaint from the kin of the deceased against the teacher,” the officer said.
Police are investigating why the teacher chose the river for idol immersion despite the availability of a designated pond for the ceremony. In an X post, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed his condolences and announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each for the bereaved families.
Police sources said six students from a private tutorial centre, along with their teacher and a staff member, visited the Kuakhai riverbank for the immersion ceremony. “Post-ritual, Senapati and Mahalik ventured into the river for a swim. The strong current swept the two minors into deeper waters,” a police officer said.
Fire service personnel conducted a search operation and recovered their bodies after about an hour. They were immediately shifted to Capital Hospital, where doctors declared them brought dead.
“We are questioning the tuition teacher about his potential negligence. He should have stopped the children from bathing in the river. So far, we have not received any complaint from the kin of the deceased against the teacher,” the officer said.
Police are investigating why the teacher chose the river for idol immersion despite the availability of a designated pond for the ceremony. In an X post, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed his condolences and announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each for the bereaved families.
