Three youths drown in Paika River in Jagatsinghpur, locals blame illegal sand mining

Two youths drowned while bathing in the Paika River in Odisha's Jagatsinghpur on Wednesday, triggering tension in the area. The incident occurred near Krushnanandpur when three youths were swept away by the river current. While the bodies of two victims were recovered by Fire Services personnel, one person remained missing at the time of reporting.

Following the incident, villagers alleged that illegal sand mining from the river had created deep pits, making the area unsafe for locals. In protest, residents blocked the road near Krushnanandpur Siphon square, demanding immediate action against those responsible. They claimed that unauthorised sand extraction had been taking place regularly, endangering lives.

Families Seek Action and Compensation

The mother of one of the deceased youths said her son’s death was a result of the negligence of the sand mafia. “My son lost his life because of illegal sand mining. The riverbank has been dug out in several places, leaving deep pits. Our children were unaware of it and were swept away. We seek justice,” she said.

Another grieving mother alleged that the administration had yet to reach the spot. “No official has come to the village so far. We want justice and ex-gratia support for our loss,” she stated.

Authorities Yet to Comment on the Incident

No statement could be obtained from the local administration or police. Search efforts were continuing to trace the third missing youth, while protests in the area remained ongoing at the time of reporting.