Balasore: In a devastating incident, a youth drowned while bathing on the 10th day death ritual (Dasaha Karma) of his grandfather at Nuagaon Bada village, under Khaira police station in Balasore district.
The 10th-day death ritual of deceased Upendra Lenka was carried out near the pond. His grandson, Jagmohan Lenka, slipped and drowned in the pond while bathing as part of the ritual.
The villagers launched a search operation but were unable to find Jagmohan. The Aupada fire tender unit eventually rescued him from the pond, but he was declared dead at the Khaira community health centre.
Jagmohan, a first-year +3 student at Khaira College, was performing his grandfather’s death rituals. The family, still grieving the loss of Upendra Lenka, has been dealt another devastating blow.
The Khaira police have taken custody of the body for investigation, adding to the trauma of the family and the community. The incident has cast a shadow of grief over the area and left everyone in shock.