Three-year-old Arup dies after falling into canal near mother’s grave
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
Three-year-old Arup Halder lost his mother to dengue two months ago. His mother’s grave is on the bank of a canal beside their home. The child died after falling into the canal near her grave. His father, Aravindu Halder, is devastated by the loss of his only son. Before he could recover from the grief of losing his wife, the family was struck by another tragedy with the death of their child.
The incident occurred Saturday afternoon at the Halder family home in Ward 7 of Ganakpara village in the Daihari Union of Nesarabad Upazila in Pirojpur.
Speaking to several local residents, it was learned that Aravindu Halder runs a small tea stall. He has a three-year-old son, Arup, and an eight-year-old daughter. About two months ago, his wife, Rita Halder, contracted dengue. She was initially admitted to Nesarabad Upazila Health Complex. Later, as her condition deteriorated, she was taken to Barishal for advanced treatment. Despite arranging treatment by borrowing money and taking on debt, Aravindu could not save his wife. He later buried her beside the canal near their home.
At noon Saturday, Aravindu was cooking at home for his children. During that time, Arup left the house without the family’s knowledge. It is believed that he went near his mother’s grave and fell into the canal. When Aravindu could not find his son, he began searching for him. At one point, he found Arup’s shoes near his wife’s grave.
Family members and local residents then began searching for the child by casting nets into the canal. Eventually, Arup’s body was recovered from underwater. He was taken to Nesarabad Upazila Health Complex, where a doctor declared him dead.
Local Union Parishad member Prabir Mandal said that on the day of the incident, Aravindu had returned home quickly from his shop and was cooking for his children. Arup left the house without his father’s knowledge. Later, while searching for his son, Aravindu found his shoes near his wife’s grave. The child’s body was subsequently recovered from the canal after a search.
Nesarabad Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Mehedi Hasan said the child’s mother died of dengue about two months ago. The child died after falling into the canal Saturday afternoon.
