Raghopur Mishap: Negligence Suspected, Accountability Demanded

Negligence, not just misfortune, may lie at the heart of the Raghopur boat tragedy in Vaishali, according to Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor. Kishor visited the grieving families on Sunday, after 13 children lost their lives in the accident.

The visit coincided with the dashkarma ceremony at the victims' homes. Kishor said he had come to share in the families' sorrow and reaffirmed his demand for a high-level inquiry.

He said that on his last visit, he had also urged the administration to probe the incident at a high level. Now that an inquiry has been initiated by the administration, he said, it is a proper step. However, the crucial question remains: whose negligence caused such a massive loss of life, and who bears responsibility?

Kishor explained that a mishap caused by carelessness is fundamentally different from a routine accident. He said negligence is evident in the case and there is a possibility that corruption also played a role.

While identifying the guilty is the task of the investigation, Kishor said, those responsible must be punished based on its conclusions. He said that from Monday he would try to strengthen the probe and engage with the administration so that every dimension of the incident is scrutinised.

Calling the deaths of 13 children extremely tragic, Kishor said that any lapse by the government, society or the system must be answered for. He stressed that opening an inquiry is not enough on its own and that action against those responsible is essential.

He also voiced concern over the recurring boat accidents in the Diyara region. Locals have reported that a boat recently capsized elsewhere, leaving people injured. Kishor urged the administration to show sensitivity toward boat operations and passenger safety, and to take concrete steps to prevent such incidents in future.