Child’s Death in Jharkhand School Highlights Safety Concerns

A tragic incident at a school in Khunti, Jharkhand, resulted in the death of a young student. Following his mid-day meal at the Rajyikrit Kanya Madhya Vidyalaya, Suraj Manjhi, an eight-year-old, went to a nearby well to get water due to the school’s faulty hand pump. He slipped and fell into the well and died. School staff immediately attempted to rescue the child, but the attempt failed. The District Education Superintendent has initiated an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident and to hold those responsible accountable. This event underscores the urgent need for improved safety measures and essential facilities, such as a reliable water source, at the school. The earlier similar tragedy in June 2025 in the Murhu region, where two minors also lost their lives in a well, reinforces the need for safety evaluations in similar locations.