Odisha Government Offers Rs 4 Lakh Ex-Gratia
The Odisha government has announced financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each for the families of two minor students who tragically drowned in the Kuakhai River on Wednesday. The incident occurred during the immersion of a Saraswati idol near Rangabazar in the Balianta block.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed profound grief over the loss of the young lives. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Chief Minister’s Office said, “CM Mohan Charan Majhi has conveyed his deep sorrow over the tragic drowning of two students during the Saraswati idol immersion in the Kuakhai River. He has extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The state government will provide Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia to each family from the State Disaster Response Fund.”
The victims, identified as Dibyajyoti Mahalik and Sikun Senapati, were both 15-year-old Class 10 students from Bhubaneswar’s Unit-6 area. According to reports, the boys, along with their teacher and friends, had gone to the Rangabazar area for the Saraswati idol immersion ceremony. While the group remained on the riverbank, Dibyajyoti and Sikun entered the water to immerse the idol. Tragically, they lost their footing and were swept into deeper waters.
Despite their efforts to swim back, the students were unable to escape the strong currents. Their teacher immediately alerted the police and fire services for assistance. Firefighters later retrieved the boys from the river and rushed them to Capital Hospital, where doctors declared them dead upon arrival.
The Balianta Police have registered an unnatural death case and are investigating the incident. The tragic event has left the community in shock, highlighting the need for greater safety measures during such rituals. The state government’s ex-gratia announcement aims to provide some relief to the grieving families during this difficult time.
