In Kamala Municipality-2, Sarabetol, Dhanusha, a heartbreaking tragedy has left the entire village in deep sorrow. Two young boys—7-year-old Ritik and 5-year-old Ritesh—drowned in a water-filled pit left open during the construction of an agricultural road near their home. The incident occurred just 50 meters away from their house on Tuesday afternoon.
The boys had been watching mobile videos at home when the electricity went out. As the WiFi disconnected, they quietly stepped outside to play. Their grandmother, unaware they had left, began searching when she couldn’t find them. Half an hour later, a woman spotted Ritesh’s body floating in the pit. Ritik’s body was discovered shortly after, in the same pit.
A Village in Grief, A Family Devastated
The boys’ grandmother, Koshila, had given them their names herself. Ritik lived with his grandparents and was studying in Grade 2 at a local school. Ritesh had just returned from Delhi with his aunt Rinku. Their parents work as laborers in Delhi, dreaming of a better future for their children. That dream ended in a tragic accident caused by carelessness.
When the Onlinekhabar team visited the family, their grief was unbearable. Grandmother Koshila could hardly speak as she recalled the last moments before the boys left home. The children’s parents were still on their way from Delhi.
Who Is Responsible for This Negligence?
The water-filled pit was a result of careless digging for a local road project. Locals say the contractor and elected representatives are trying to cover up the incident rather than taking accountability. The area had no safety barriers, no signs, and no warnings.
Officials including Ward Chairman Thakku Yadav and engineer Ramkumar Yadav refused to give clear answers. When contacted, they either avoided the media or claimed they didn’t have full information. Ward Chair Yadav even reacted with anger when asked questions, saying, “We’re also grieving, but the pit was already there.”
Neglect in Planning and Execution
The road project was under Ward No. 2’s plan with a budget of NPR 10 lakh. It was being constructed by Jay Baba Nursing Construction through a quotation process. Local contractor Rajendra Mandal was handling the work. According to the agreement, they were not allowed to dig from the side, but that’s exactly what they did—creating a dangerously deep pit with no outlet, where water had collected for days.
Dhanusha police have confirmed that both boys’ bodies were sent for post-mortem. Investigations are ongoing, but the family and locals demand answers.
A Dangerous Pattern of Carelessness
The entire tragedy could have been avoided with simple safety measures. Local officials now appear more focused on saving their image than ensuring justice for the grieving families.
As of now, the ones responsible remain silent. But the silence in Sarabetol speaks louder than their words.