Kumarghat Rath Victims' Families Recall Tragic Loss Three Years On

Agartala: Families in Tripura's Unakoti district face another grim anniversary. They remember the seven people killed during the Kumarghat Ulta Rath Yatra on June 28, 2023. The ceremonial chariot of Lord Jagannath hit a 133 kV overhead wire in Uttar Pabiacherra. Fire erupted instantly.

Khukhu Rani Ghosh lost her daughter-in-law Ruma Sarkar and her granddaughter Priyanka Ghosh in the blaze. Another granddaughter, Diya Ghosh, survived the fire but lost both hands and sustained severe burns. The annual festival now brings only agony. "Every year, Rath comes but the people will not come back again," Khukhu Rani Ghosh told the Tripura Times.

The fire injured more than 15 devotees. In the immediate aftermath, Chief Minister Manik Saha visited the site, ordered an inquiry, and handed out compensation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences and financial support. Khukhu Rani Ghosh remains unconvinced that money heals. "We received compensation but will it cover the loss we actually had?" she asked. She demands officials prioritize safety protocols during future festivities.

State authorities reacted by tightening rules for chariots. New mandates limit height to five metres and require non-conductive materials. Emergency crews now stand by at large events. These policies aim to prevent a repeat of the 2023 catastrophe, but for the families left behind, the changes offer little comfort.