Keonjhar, Oct 20: In a heartbreaking turn of events, a family in Keonjhar district is mourning the loss of four members who died in a road accident just days before Diwali. The incident has cast a shadow of grief over what is traditionally a festival of lights and joy.

The deceased include the family’s breadwinner, his wife, daughter, and niece. They were on their way to Kamakhyanagar on October 17 to open a Sukanya Samriddhi account for the daughter when an unidentified vehicle struck them near the local market. All four died on the spot.

The victims were residing near Anandapur Bada Danda. The young man — identified as Bhabagrahi, son of Manguli Karua, employed at Kaliapani IMFA, was accompanied by his wife Janaki, daughter Geetanjali, and niece Nandi. Their sudden demise has shattered the family, leaving behind grieving parents and siblings.

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For the past four days, the household has remained silent, with no cooking or celebrations. The elderly mother and sister have been seen weeping inconsolably, as the family struggles to cope with the loss of its primary earner.

The vehicle responsible for the accident has not yet been traced, and the family claims that despite their suffering, they have received minimal support from the police administration.

This Diwali, while most homes are lit with lamps and filled with laughter, the Karua family sits in darkness, mourning the irreplaceable loss of their loved ones. The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the fragility of life and the need for stronger road safety enforcement.