Jajpur: A pall of gloom descended on Rangaranga village under Panikoili police limits in Jajpur district on Friday after a Class 8 student drowned in a pond during the immersion of a Ganesh idol.
The deceased, identified as Satya Prakash Sahu, was a student of Prahlad High School in the village.
According to reports, during the idol immersion ceremony, five to six students jumped into the pond. Watching them drown local people rushed and managed to rescue them.
However, Satya Prakash could not be saved. His unattended bicycle near the pond raised suspicion, prompting the school’s peon and villagers to search the waters.
After an extensive search, his body was recovered and rushed to the Jajpur District Headquarters Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
The tragic incident has triggered questions about the school authorities’ decision to conduct the immersion today, a holiday, instead of Saturday.
Locals believe the schedule was advanced since the following day was not considered suitable for immersion.
Headmistress of the school stated that she was unaware of the incident as she was admitted to a hospital for treatment at the time.
The sudden death of the young student has left the entire village in shock and mourning.
