Ram Navami turned tragic in Simulia village under Maitapur panchayat in Balasore district after a 12-year-old boy of the village met watery grave, exactly on the same day and manner like his elder brother 10 years ago.
The deceased has been identified as Paresh Nath, son of Kuna Nath.
According to sources, Paresh had gone to a nearby pond this afternoon. When Paresh did not return after hours, his family members and villagers launched a frantic search but in vain.
Later, the villagers called the Fire Services department suspecting that Paresh might have drowned in the pond.
On being informed about the incident, the Fire Services personnel rushed to the village and after hours of search, they fished out the body of Paresh from the pond.
Paresh’s elder brother had also downed in Mahanadi River on Ram Navami, 10 years ago.
“Tragedy struck twice on Ram Navami. We lost two sons exactly in similar manner on the fateful day,” said the uncle of the victim.
“By the time we fished out the body of Paresh, he had already died. Kuna Nath’s elder son had also drowned on Ram Navmi,” said Jamuna Prasad Mahanta, Fire Services personnel.
(Reported by Niranjan Behera, OTV)