THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, October 22: A caution note has been issued at Chatnahi Chhath ghat where there are uneven pits of water in Latehar district.
This Chhath ghat is the longest ghat, where on average 15,000 to 20,000 devotees come to perform rituals of Chhath. It’s around 900 meters long.
Latehar SP Kumar Gaurav told this correspondent, “It’s a major ghat for Chhath. Our police bandobast will be adequate here.”
Sources said haphazard mining of sand here has led to this problem of uneven level of sand which is deceptive as if at one place it’s an ankle deep water, the very next step may find one’s leg in knee deep water. So everyone has to be cautious, reminded SP Gaurav.
Latehar DC Utkarsh Gupta has directed the administrative officials to ensure proper lighting arrangements at the Chhath ghats.
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DC Gupta and SP Gaurav on Tuesday inspected two Chhath ghats, Chatnahi and Durwa. Chatnahi Chhath ghat is at the Auranga river. Durwa Chhath ghat is less uneven in comparison to Chatnahi ghat, following its alluvial and gravel nature. Stones and pebbles are more here at the Durwa Chhath ghat.
Cases of elopement are heard of boys and girls from Chhath ghats about which SP Latehar Kumar Gaurav said, “There has not been any such case either last year Chhath or previous to it. There is no such pattern ever seen here. Our cops remain vigilant.”
Latehar DC Utkarsh Gupta has asked for the stationing of medical units at Chhath ghats.
Incidents of sole injury because of broken glass bottles thrown recklessly in the water bodies are common at Chhath ghats, where men, women and children are to go into water without any slipper at all. It’s a barefoot prayer in the river or a water body.
Children go missing for hours as parents and relatives remain preoccupied with the rites and rituals of Chhath, which are to be observed in all purity and piety.
An adequate public address system is mandated at Chhath ghats. Latehar’s Chhath ghats are said to have adequate public miking facility.
