TINSUKIA: In an unfortunate event, two youths drowned in the Brahmaputra River on Thursday evening during the immersion of a Manasa Devi idol in Tinsukia district. The victims have been identified as Siba Boraik (18) of Chirapatty and Sanjay Choudhary (20) of Makum.
According to eyewitnesses, they were swept away by strong currents while helping in the ritual at a local ghat. Personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local police conducted a search operation. After several hours, the bodies were recovered and sent for post-mortem examination at Tinsukia Civil Hospital. The remains have been handed over to the families.
Authorities have urged caution during river-based rituals. A district official stated that necessary measures would be taken to ensure safety at immersion sites, including deployment of rescue boats and life jackets.
Similarly, on July 30, a man was swept away by strong river currents during the immersion of Goddess Mansa’s idol at the Sadarghat immersion ghat in Silchar. The incident took place along the Barak River and involved three family members who slipped into the water.
The three individuals, brothers Gaurang Ghosh and Krishna Ghosh, along with their relative Biplab Das, were participating in the final rites of the Mansa Puja when Krishna Ghosh and Biplab Das accidentally fell into the river. In a desperate attempt to save his younger brother, Gaurang Ghosh, who reportedly could not swim, jumped in after them but was quickly overwhelmed by the swift current.
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