A tragic incident unfolded in Hazaribag on Friday evening when 22-year-old Commando Verma, a resident of the Okni locality, drowned in Khajanchi Talab. His body was recovered after an exhaustive 20-hour search operation conducted by the police and a team of divers from Chauparan.
Details of the Incident
According to police reports, Verma had gone to the pond late on Friday evening with a friend. While the two were bathing, Verma slipped into the deeper end of the pond and could not be saved. His friend raised an alarm, prompting immediate action from local authorities.
Search and Recovery Operation
Upon receiving news of the drowning, the police launched a search operation. After several hours of effort, the body was retrieved with the assistance of a specialized diving team from Chauparan. Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Chandra Shekhar Kumar confirmed that the body has been sent for postmortem examination. He stated, "Further investigation is ongoing."
Community Reactions and Demands
The incident has stirred strong reactions from local residents, who have demanded adequate compensation for the victim’s family. Additionally, there is a growing call for the establishment of a dedicated emergency rescue and disaster response unit in the Hazaribag division to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
MLA Calls for NDRF Deployment
Hazaribag MLA Pradip Prasad emphasized the need for a permanent deployment of a team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in the region. He remarked, "Had the administration managed to arrange divers on time, the youth could have been saved." His comments highlight the critical gap in emergency response capabilities in the area.
The tragic loss of Commando Verma has not only left his family in grief but also sparked a broader conversation about public safety and disaster preparedness in Hazaribag. Local authorities are expected to review existing protocols and explore measures to enhance rescue operations.
