Boita Bandana tragedy: Two kids drown; one more swept away in Odisha

Dhenkanal/Puri: Tragedy marred the Boita Bandana celebration when two children drowned and one more was swept away on the auspicious occasion of Kartika Purnima in Odisha today.

According to reports, two minor boys — Shakti Sahoo (7) and Sairam Barik (10) — slipped into a pond at Alipingala village under Nimapada police while collecting miniature boats set afloat in the morning.

The locals immediately rushed to the spot and fished the duo out from the water. The two were admitted to the Nimapada CHC where the doctors declared them dead.

In another incident, a 12-year-old boy identified as Roshan Nayak of Latabila Sahi village was swept away by strong current of water while sailing a miniature boat in the Brahmani River near Bhuban area in Dhenkanal district early in the morning.

The locals tried to trace the minor boy but in vain. On receiving information, the fire services personnel reached the spot and launched a rescue operation.

Till the last report came in, the rescue operation was underway in the river.

It is worth mentioning that despite restrictions imposed by several district administrations preventing congregation at water bodies on holy Kartika Purnima, people in large numbers in different places reportedly were found sailing miniature boats on the occasion to celebrate Boita Bandana Utsav.