Tragic Loss During Jivitputrika Festival: Eight Minors Drown in Bihar Ponds

Eight minors, including seven girls, drowned while taking bath in ponds in Bihar's Aurangabad district during the 'Jivitputrika' festival. Four victims each drowned in separate ponds in Kushaha and Itahat villages. Officials and police are investigating the matter. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced compensation for the families.

Eight minors, including seven girls, tragically drowned while bathing in ponds in Bihar's Aurangabad district on Wednesday during the 'Jivitputrika' festival, officials reported.

The victims, four from Kushaha village in Madanpur block and four from Itahat village in Barun block, were identified as Pankaj Kumar (8), Sonali Kumari (13), Nilam Kumari (12), Rakhi Kumari (12), Anku Kumari (15), Nisha Kumari (12), Chulbul Kumari (13), and Lazo Kumari (15).

District Magistrate Srikant Shastri stated that the incidents occurred when the victims, accompanied by their families, went to the ponds for a holy bath as part of the 'Jivitputrika' festival. Officials promptly reached the scene to retrieve the bodies and transported them to nearby hospitals, where doctors confirmed their deaths.

In response to the tragic incident, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed his condolences and announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh to each bereaved family. The district administration and police are conducting further investigations.