Stuff reporter| July 21|West Medinipur|Muthokotha.in: Instead of the chant “Har Har Mahadev,” the air over the Subarnarekha River is filled with wails of grief today. A 15-year-old girl lost her life while attempting to fetch water to offer to Lord Shiva on the first Monday of the holy month of Shravan. It is alleged that she died after becoming trapped in quicksand caused by illegal sand mining.
Who is responsible for this incident? Whose fault is it—the administration’s, the sand mafia’s, or everyone’s? The region of South Bogura in West Midnapore, along the banks of the Subarnarekha, is searching for answers.
Priyanka Roy was a resident of the South Bogura area in West Midnapore. Following the customs observed by devotees of Lord Shiva during Shravan, she had gone to the Subarnarekha River in the early hours of Sunday to fetch water. Her destination was the Rameshwar Temple, located on the riverbank. Every Shravan, thousands of devotees collect water from this river to offer to Lord Shiva. But who knew a death trap lay hidden beneath the sand?
As soon as she stepped into the river, Priyanka got trapped in quicksand. She sank before locals could rescue her. The pre-dawn darkness was as pitch-black as a moonless night.
Priyanka’s father, Dilip Roy, alleged, “My daughter fell into a pit created by illegal sand mining. Who will take responsibility for this?”
From the administration to the general public, everyone is aware of the reckless sand extraction taking place along both banks of the Subarnarekha. The consequence? Deep pits and patches of quicksand have formed in various parts of the riverbed.
The Subarnarekha flows right past the Rameshwar Temple. Every year during Shravan, hundreds of thousands of devotees collect water from this very spot. Yet, to this day, no designated, safe bathing ghat has been constructed on the riverbank. Devotees have been demanding this for years, but to no avail. Locals ask, “It is such a vast river; couldn’t sand extraction along the path to the temple be halted for just two or three months? But that won’t happen. Sand must be extracted. Since it has to be done, why doesn’t the administration issue warnings? Why aren’t safety measures implemented on this specific day? Water is collected from this river every Shravan, yet there is no way to distinguish between safe and dangerous spots.”
The public is demanding the designation of a ‘safe zone,’ insisting that human lives cannot be treated so recklessly.
They urge the administration to mark a specific section of the river where water can be collected safely.
Many believe that this tragedy could have been averted through increased surveillance along the riverbank during Shravan—specifically by setting up temporary ghats and deploying police and civic volunteers. Furthermore, local residents are demanding a complete ban on sand extraction in the area adjacent to the temple.
What a cruel irony—a 15-year-old girl has lost her life, yet no one takes responsibility. The administration is aware of the quicksand; the locals are aware of the sand mafia’s unchecked dominance. Yet, every year when Shravan arrives, the same grim scenario plays out.
Priyanka’s death is not merely an accident; it is the price paid for administrative apathy and the greed of the sand mafia.
