SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Nov 6: The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team from Ranchi, along with local divers, recovered three more bodies on Thursday in connection with the tragic drowning incident in the Damodar River at Telmuchho Ghat under Mahuda police station limits.
Two youths, however, remain untraced. The tragedy occurred on Wednesday when six youths drowned while taking a holy dip on the occasion of Kartik Purnima.
Mahuda police station officer-in-charge said the bodies of Rohan Kumar (19) and Rohit Kumar (20) from Bhimkanali, Baghmara, and Sunny Kumar from Bhuli were recovered during Thursday’s search operation. The body of Vijay Yadav had been found earlier on Wednesday. Efforts are still underway to locate the remaining two missing youths from the Bhuli area.
Also Read- Bihar records 60.13% turnout till 5 pm in first phase of assembly polls
Separate groups swept away during holy bath
According to reports, five youths from Bhimkanali, Baghmara, and four from Bhuli had gone separately to the river for ritual bathing. Three of the Bhimkanali youths were rescued by devotees present at the site, but two were swept away by strong currents.
Similarly, among the four from Bhuli, only the body of Vijay Yadav was recovered on Wednesday evening, while the others remained missing until Thursday.
Families stage protest, block highway
Tension prevailed on Thursday morning when families of the missing youths blocked the Telmuchho bridge on the Dhanbad–Bokaro–Ranchi National Highway (NH-32) around 10 a.m., protesting the delay in the administration’s rescue operations. The blockade led to long queues of vehicles on both sides of the bridge.
Baghmara Circle Officer Girjanad Kisku, along with officers from seven police stations, rushed to the spot to pacify the agitated family members. The situation eased after the recovery of Sunny Kumar’s body at around 11:30 a.m., followed soon by the retrieval of Rohan and Rohit Kumar’s bodies.
Also Read- ED seizes ₹11.14 crore worth assets of Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan
Search continues for remaining victims
The NDRF and local divers have continued the search operations to locate the two missing youths. Police officials said efforts would continue until all the victims are found, assuring the families of full administrative support.
