Open drain claims life of 7-yr-old

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Puri: In a heart-wrenching incident, a seven-year-old boy died after falling into a 10-ft deep drain at Samangara here.
The body of Ganesh Nayak, son of Prakash and Mamata Nayak, was recovered from the drain Wednesday.
According to sources, Ganesh went missing while returning home after attending a tuition class Tuesday afternoon. After a thorough search, his family members lodged a complaint with Sadar police station in this regard.
However, a few relatives spotted Ganesh’s sandals in the drain and his body was later fished out from the drain.
The incident triggered tension in the locality.
Blaming the lackadaisical attitude of Drainage department and the district administration for the incident, locals blocked a road near Samangara and Puri-Konark National Highway at Balighat. The agitators also staged a road blockade at Bhoodan Square and sought adequate compensation for the bereaved family and stern action against the Drainage department officials.
“The Drainage department had constructed the drain ahead of the Nabakalebara ritual of Srimandir deities in 2015. However, they did not cover the drain with slabs. Several commuters have sustained injuries after falling into the drain,” claimed Bishwamber Sahu, a local.
Satyabhama Srichandan, another local, claimed that at least four deer from nearby forests and five cows have died after falling into the open drain. “The administration did not take the issue seriously despite repeated complaints,” she claimed.
On being informed, sub-collector Bhabataran Sahu reached the spot and held discussions with the agitators. The road blockade was withdrawn after the sub-collector assured the locals to take necessary steps to cover the drain.
“We have visited the spot and enquired about the incident. We would raise the issue with the district Collector and take steps to cover the drain,” Sahu said.
Meanwhile, human rights activist Prasanna Kumar Dash lodged a complaint with the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) and sought `10 lakh compensation for the victim’s family. He also sought stern action against the callous administration and the private contractor that had constructed the drain.