The renovation site of century-old Bateshwar Temple at village Kantiagada under Ganjam block witnessed an unprecedented tragedy in which two boys were found dead and four more were rescued on Saturday afternoon.
According to reports, Tarini Pradhan, a resident of Niladripur, was performing some Puja in this heritage temple when the tragedy occurred. Pradhan had invited some of his relatives and friends to partake Prasad.
It may be mentioned that the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project authorities under the technical supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have undertaken the renovation work of two places of historical importance, Pottagada and Bateswar Temple, in the region and the works are yet to be completed.
The ASI has started constructing concrete steps using stones by cutting the heaps of sands near the Bateswar Temple with World Bank finance.
Among the invitees of Pradhan, there were six boys who were playing with their friends in the nearby heap of sands close to the construction site. The heap of sands along with an old tin house and the walls suddenly collapsed pushing the boys beneath. While two boys were found dead being suffocated, the remaining four, however, were rescued by the locals.
The deceased were identified as Rajesh Sahu (14) and Raja Pradhan (9). Hundreds of people from nearby villages rushed to the spot. Eyewitnesses held the ASI responsible for the tragedy reportedly for their haphazard work going on at a slow pace without adhering to proper security measures like barricades and deployment of security personnel within a radius of 200 metres of the worksite.
BJP leader and former Chairman of Ganjam Block Surath Pahan demanded adequate compensation for the families of the victims immediately.