Chief Minister orders safety review after six students drown in Ganesh immersion tragedy

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has directed the district administration to provide all possible assistance and support to the families of six students who drowned during Lord Ganesha idol immersion in Peddakanjarla village of Patancheru, Sangareddy district. The Chief Minister expressed deep shock over the deaths and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

Officials told to prevent repeat incidents

Revanth Reddy instructed officials to take adequate precautionary measures during the Ganesh immersion process to prevent such incidents. The directive comes as authorities scramble to strengthen safety protocols at immersion sites across the state.

Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla also expressed deep anguish and sorrow over the tragic deaths. He prayed to grant the families strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss. The Governor appealed to devotees, organisers and the public to exercise utmost caution and strictly follow safety precautions during Ganesh processions and idol immersions.

Authorities must barricade water bodies, says Governor

Shukla urged people to avoid entering deep or unfamiliar water bodies and to ensure that children and young persons are kept away from hazardous areas during immersion activities. He called upon the organisers and local authorities to ensure adequate safety arrangements, including proper supervision, lighting, barricading and availability of emergency and rescue services at immersion points.

Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar expressed profound shock over the deaths, saying the incident had deeply disturbed him. The Minister extended his heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their children in this tragic incident.

Minister speaks to Collector, SP

Prabhakar spoke over the phone with the District Collector and the District Superintendent of Police (SP) to obtain details about the incident. He inquired about the rescue operations and the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

The Minister instructed officials to identify dangerous deep-water zones in immersion areas and take necessary safety measures to prevent the public from accessing them. He further directed authorities to ensure the availability of trained swimmers and rescue personnel at such locations. Prabhakar appealed to parents to keep a close watch on their children during Ganesh immersion events and to ensure that they do not venture near ponds, canals, or other water bodies.

Source: The Hindu