A Magisterial inquiry was ordered into the death of a five-year-old child who was separated in the forests from his father in Surguja district. Shiv Kumar Manjhi (5) had died while his brother fell ill after they got separated from their father in the jungle when they were heading to their relative’s place on foot under Sitapur police station area on Thursday.
District Collector, Surguja, Ritu Sen confirmed that the child died due dehydration and heat stroke. “On the direction of Chief Minister Raman Singh, Collector Ritu Sen has appointed Sub Divisional Magistrate Sitapur MS Bhagat to probe the incident,” an official statement informed.
The official will investigate the circumstances which led to the death of child, it stated. Body of Shiv Kumar Manjhi was found on Friday morning in forests under Sitapur police station, Collector Ritu Sen informed.
A native of village Naramadapur near Mainpat, Mangat Ram Manjhi along with his three sons - Shiv Kumar, Shankar Ram (7) and Rajaram (9) had gone to Sitapur on Wednesday to visit a relative.
While heading back home on foot to visit another relative through forests, the children got separated from their father. Meanwhile, Congress party and locals alleged that the boy had died of starvation.
CM Raman Singh has expressed deep condolence on the incident. He has also directed officials to extend every possible help to the victim’s family.