18-year-old feared drowned while collecting Gangajal in Bhojpur

Ara: An 18-year-old boy was feared drowned in Ganga after he slipped into deep water while collecting Gangajal and sacred soil for Kalash Sthapana on the first day of Navratri at Mahuli Ganga Ghat under Sinha police station area in Bhojpur district on Sunday morning. His elder sister, who jumped into the river in an attempt to save him, was rescued by local boatmen.The boy, identified as Abhay Kumar Singh, son of Hemant Kumar Singh of Gheghata village under Ara Mufassil police station, had gone to the ghat under Sinha police station in Barhara block with his sisters, Nikki and Nitisha, on a motorcycle.SHO Raju Kumar said State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) launched a search after police were informed about the incident, but Abhay could not be traced till late Sunday afternoon. “Though the SDRF personnel have been searching for the boy since morning, his body has not been found till late Sunday afternoon,” the SHO told TOI.The SHO said police initially received two versions of the incident, with some reports suggesting that Abhay drowned while trying to save his sister. However, subsequent inquiries indicated that Abhay had ventured into deeper water to collect Ganga jal and take a holy dip when he slipped.His elder sister Nikki jumped into the river in an attempt to save him but could not reach him. She was subsequently rescued by local boatmen from the shallower part of the river, police said.Abhay’s uncle Rajendra Singh said the incident occurred around 7 am. “Abhay had come here on his bike with his sisters to fetch Ganga jal and take a holy dip, but he accidentally slipped and drowned,” he said.praveensibu@gmail.comYou Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Patna | Silver Rate in Patna | Bank Holidays in Patna | Public Holidays in Patna | Patna AQI | Weather in Patna | Petrol Price in Patna | Diesel Price in Patna | CNG Price in Patna | LPG Price in PatnaStay updated with the latest Patna news. Download the TOI App.