Bhubaneswar, Sept. 16 (UDN): A Class 8 student died after drowning in a pond during a Ganesh idol immersion ceremony in Ganjam district, police said.
The incident took place at Sidhikhandi village under Kotinada panchayat. The deceased has been identified as Sitanshu Jena, son of Moram Jena.
Student drowns during immersion
According to reports, Sitanshu had gone to a local pond along with other students to immerse a Ganesh idol associated with his private tuition class.
During the immersion, the boy reportedly slipped into the water and drowned. When he could not be found, his family and others began searching for him. He was subsequently located and rescued from the pond.
Sitanshu was rushed to the Digapahandi Medical Centre, where doctors declared him dead.
Police begin probe
Following the death, Digapahandi police sent the body for post-mortem examination and initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The boy’s family has reportedly alleged that the tuition teacher was not present at the time of the immersion, raising questions over supervision during the activity. Police are looking into the allegation as part of the inquiry.
Two more students drown in Ganjam
The incident comes amid another drowning tragedy in Ganjam district. Two students reportedly drowned in the Ghodahada River in the Hinjilicut area on Wednesday while participating in an idol immersion ceremony. They had gone to the river with friends for the immersion.
In a separate incident in Sundargarh district, three minor girls drowned in the Shankha River while collecting sand for Karma Puja. The girls had reportedly gone to the river with villagers and other children. Locals rescued them and took them to the Biramitrapur Medical Centre, where doctors declared them dead.
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