Bhubaneswar, Feb 6: The Odisha government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the family members of the two minor students who drowned in the Kuakhai River here on Wednesday, officials said.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday expressed grief over the death of the students in Kuakhai.

"CM Mohan Charan Majhi has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic drowning of two students during Saraswati idol immersion in Kuakhai River, near Rangabazar, under Balianta block. He extended condolences to the bereaved families. The state government has announced Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia assistance for each family from the State Disaster Response Fund," said the Chief Minister's Office on X.

The deceased were identified as Dibyajyoti Mahalik and Sikun Senapati from Unit-6 area under police limits in Bhubaneswar.

Both the students were 15 years old and studied in class 10.

Sources claimed that the deceased minors along with their teacher and other friends had gone to the Rangabazar area for the immersion of the Saraswati idol.

The two students went into the river water carrying the Goddess idol while the others were at the river bank.

Dibyajyoti and Sikun, who entered the river to immerse the idol, lost control and fell into the deep waters.

The students failed to come out of the water despite all their efforts.

Finding no option, the tuition teacher called up the police and the Fire Service personnel for help.

The minors were later fished out of the river by fire services personnel who rushed them to Capital Hospital where the doctors declared the duo dead.

The Balianta Police have launched an investigation into the incident by registering an unnatural death case. (IANS)

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