Keonjhar: Even though four days have passed after a college student was swept away in the Bhimkund Waterfalls in the Baitarani River the police have failed to find the body, a report said.
A student fell into the waterfalls and was swept away when he was trying to take a selfie near it. Hundreds of tourists saw the boy getting swept away by the swirling waters, but none dared to step into the river to rescue him.
Earlier, a Bolbum devotee was washed away in the waterfalls while clicking a selfie, and his body was recovered a week later around four km from the mishap site.
What has become a cause of concern is that the administration, despite being aware of the tragedies, has done little to prevent them. Locals held the administration responsible for the repeated tragedies.
Sources said the Bhimkund Waterfalls near Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts is visited by thousands of tourists and pilgrims who make offerings to their ancestors throughout the year.
The Bolbum devotee visited the place in the holy month of Sharavan to take water from the river and offer it to Shiva shrines. The people of the Santhal tribe use the Damodar Ghat of the river to make offers to their ancestors. On Makar Sankranti day people take a dip in the river and make offerings.
The district administration has provided many facilities on both sides of the waterfalls. But they have not taken adequate measures to ensure that visitors do not endanger their lives at the site.
The authorities have only displayed some warning signs to alert people about the dangers, but have not built a wall or fence near the waterfalls. They have also not posted security guards or lifeguards at the spot. People here fear that tragedies might happen again in future as only a few days are left for Makar Sankranti.
Tourist Officer RK Nayak and Ghatagaon Police Station IIC Satish Kumar Nayak said that steps will be taken to ensure that tourists do not put themselves at risk by going too close to the waterfalls.
PNN
