Tragic Drowning Incident Sparks NHRC Action in Keonjhar: Families Compensated
Compensation for Families After Drowning Tragedy
Keonjhar: In a significant move prompted by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the local government in Keonjhar has provided Rs 4 lakh each to the families of three young girls who tragically drowned in an unprotected stone quarry near an Anganwadi centre in the Hatadihi block, which lacked essential sanitation facilities.
The district Collector has also initiated disciplinary measures against the officials accountable for this incident.
The NHRC's involvement followed a petition from advocate and human rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy, who reported that the Commission took notice after receiving a comprehensive report from the district Collector, which was communicated in writing on April 17, 2025.
Tripathy's petition detailed that on April 30, 2024, three minor girls—Payar Patra (3), Bharati Patra (4), and Lipsa Patra (3)—drowned in the quarry while attempting to relieve themselves. They fell into the quarry due to the absence of toilet facilities at their Anganwadi centre, leading to this heartbreaking incident. The petition also referenced another case where an Anganwadi assistant, Surochana Swain, lost her life due to a snake bite while on duty at Anganwadi Centre no-2 in Bilipada, Cuttack district, on September 11, 2024.
The petitioner urged the NHRC to gather detailed reports from the district Collectors of both Keonjhar and Cuttack, as well as the state Chief Secretary. He called for stringent action against negligent officials responsible for safety failures at Anganwadi centres, adequate compensation for the victims' families, and measures to ensure safety at these centres. Following the NHRC's intervention, the Cuttack administration confirmed that Rs 4 lakh had already been disbursed to the family of the deceased Anganwadi worker.
The NHRC noted that the three girls drowned while attending to their needs in the quarry due to the lack of toilet facilities at their centre.
In response, the Odisha Department of Women and Child Development informed the Commission that various initiatives have been launched to rectify infrastructure deficiencies at Anganwadi centres. By October 31, 2024, toilet construction had been completed in 53 percent of the state's Anganwadi centres.