2 girls buried under a rock in Chhatarpur village:Elder sister died, younger one seriously injured; police investigation underway

A tragic accident occurred in Lavkushnagar, Chhatarpur on Monday evening when two sisters were buried under a rock while grazing goats. Villagers rushed to help but were unable to free the children immediately. After approximately an hour, both were rescued with the help of a JCB machine. The elder sister, Sonam (12), died on the spot, while the younger sister, Khushboo (10), sustained serious injuries and was admitted to the district hospital for treatment. The incident took place near Bagmau village. The sisters, daughters of Rajesh Rajak, had gone to the field for grazing. When it began to rain, they sat under a rock. Due to soil erosion, the rock slipped and fell on both girls. Khushboo was first taken to Lavkushnagar Hospital via 112 emergency services, where she received first aid before being referred to the district hospital. Pictures after the accident… Both girls were living with their uncle Rakesh and grandmother Kusum, as their parents reside in Delhi. Their father, Rajesh Rajak, works as a labourer, and their mother lives with him. The family also has a younger son, Lavkush (5). At the time of the accident, construction work was ongoing at home. A nearby woman, who was grazing goats, alerted the villagers after the incident. Allegations against mine operator Family members have alleged that the accident was caused due to negligence by a nearby stone mine operator. A pile of stones had been dumped in the field, and there were no safety measures in place. Khushboo’s cousin, Sandeep Rajak, stated that the incident could have been avoided if the company had taken proper precautions. Police investigation underway Lavkushnagar Police Station in-charge, Ajay Ambe, said the girls were sitting on a stone placed on an embankment when the soil gave way. One girl has undergone a post-mortem, and the other is receiving treatment. Police have confirmed that further action will follow after completing the investigation. History of accidents at mine The Fortune Company, which has been operating in Kathera for over 35 years, has a history of accidents and complaints. Locals report crop destruction and land degradation, and in recent months, a truck carrying stones killed Kalicharan and Ajuddi Ahirwar. Family members allege that previous incidents were ignored, and the police allegedly hushed up the matters. This tragic incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in mining areas and the urgent need for stricter regulations and oversight to prevent such accidents in the future. ​