In a tragic incident in East Champaran, Bihar, four girls drowned while bathing in a pond during the Jitiya festival rituals on October 3. The event took place in Bankat Nuniya Toli under the jurisdiction of Paharpur police station. According to Kaushal Kishore Dubey, the hospital manager at Sadar Hospital in Motihari, five girls entered the pond with their families when they reportedly began to drown in deep water.

Villagers nearby swiftly acted to rescue the girls, managing to save one, while the bodies of the four who drowned were eventually retrieved from the pond. Local law enforcement arrived shortly after being alerted and sent the deceased for post-mortem examinations at the hospital.

Victims Identified and Community Response

Authorities have identified the deceased as 12-year-old Sonomati Kumari and her 10-year-old sister Phulm ati Kumari, both daughters of Pramod Mahto, as well as 11-year-old Sonali Kumari, daughter of Virendra Mahto, and 10-year-old Pratima Kumari, daughter of Achhelal Paswan. The families had gathered at the pond for the bathing ritual typical of the Jitiya festival when the incident occurred.

Witnesses reported that several children accompanying the women were enjoying their time in the water. The situation escalated when five girls began struggling. A local villager stated that one child managed to come back to the shore screaming, alerting the community to the emergency. Despite their efforts, only one girl could be saved.

Pramod Mahto, father to two of the victims, expressed the devastating impact of the loss on his family. He recounted the panic and chaos that ensued when the children entered the pond, unaware of the high water levels. His emotional testimony captured the horror of the incident, emphasising how swiftly the situation changed.

Government and Local Officials Respond

In the aftermath of the incident, local political representatives took action. Raju Tiwari, the LJP (Ram Vilas) MLA and the national vice-president of the party, visited Sadar Hospital to offer condolences to the bereaved families. He expressed his sorrow over the unfortunate incident and called for immediate government support.

Tiwari urged the district administration to process financial assistance from the Disaster Relief Fund for the affected families as soon as possible. He highlighted the importance of timely aid in such traumatic situations, reflecting the needs of the community following this tragedy.

This incident has raised concern among local residents about safety measures at communal bathing sites, especially during festivals when large groups gather. As the community grieves, it remains essential for local authorities to address the risks associated with such public gatherings to prevent future tragedies.

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