Tejashwi Yadav, the national executive president of the Rashtriya Janata Dal and leader of the opposition in the Bihar Assembly, has written a letter to Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary demanding compensation for families affected by a tragic boat accident in Vaishali’s Raghupur constituency. The incident, which occurred on the night of October 13 in Bhagtan Tola of Rampur Shyamchand Panchayat, claimed the lives of 13 children.
Concerns Over Government Negligence and Infrastructure Gaps
In his letter, Yadav criticized the government for its indifference, policy failures, and inefficient administration in handling the aftermath of the accident. He pointed out the lack of basic amenities like roads, connectivity, and healthcare in the Diara region of Raghupur, forcing residents to rely on boats despite the risks. Although plans for ring roads, embankments, and road connections between panchayats had been drafted with estimates, these projects were left unattended.
Yadav also raised concerns about delays in rescue and relief operations, highlighting poor healthcare infrastructure. He alleged ambulances were not promptly available at the site, and when they arrived, crucial life-saving equipment such as oxygen was missing. He questioned the functioning of the Vaishali district administration, disaster management department, and rescue teams, stating that timely action could have saved many lives.
Calls for Accountability and Safety Measures
The RJD leader referred to previous guidelines issued after the 2017 Patna kite festival accident, which included restrictions on boat operations after sunset, control over overloading, and mandatory life jackets. He accused authorities of failing to effectively enforce these safety protocols.
Yadav demanded that each family who lost a child in the accident be granted three decimals of land and that at least one qualified family member receive a permanent government job. In addition to regular compensation, he requested special relief for affected families and a thorough high-level investigation into delays in rescue efforts and the hospital’s poor conditions.
He urged strict action against officials responsible for negligence, including suspension, and called for the immediate deployment of doctors and health workers at the Mohanpur Referral Hospital with modern equipment and essential medicines. Yadav emphasized the need for equipped ambulances with oxygen and ambulance boats stationed permanently in Raghupur.
Further, Yadav stressed the prompt approval and initiation of halted infrastructure projects such as the ring road, ring embankment, and connecting roads. He also insisted on ensuring safe and regulated boat operations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
By addressing both the immediate humanitarian needs of the victims’ families and long-term infrastructure improvements, Tejashwi Yadav aims to prevent such incidents and hold authorities accountable for their failures in Vaishali district.
