Rajgarh Well Collapse: Congress Leader's Mother, Wife Die as Newly Dug Structure Caved In

Top Summary

• What happened: A newly constructed well in Bamangaon, Rajgarh, suddenly collapsed on June 17, trapping and killing Congress leader Mukesh Dangi's mother and wife.
• Why it matters: The tragic accident highlights the risks associated with construction, shattering a prominent local family and leaving three young children motherless.
• What changes: The Bamangaon village remains in deep mourning, with silence hanging over the community as they grapple with the sudden loss of two beloved women.
• Who is affected: Congress leader Mukesh Dangi, his three young children, and the entire Bamangaon community are profoundly affected by the dual tragedy.

Tragedy Strikes Bamangaon

In a devastating incident on June 17, a newly constructed well in Bamangaon, Rajgarh, collapsed, claiming the lives of two women. The victims were Rupa Bai Dangi (52), mother of local Congress leader and Janpad member Mukesh Dangi, and his wife, Priyanka alias Pinky Dangi (30).

The duo was reportedly cleaning around the well after its construction when the structure suddenly gave way, trapping them beneath tons of soil. The accident has plunged the entire village into a profound state of shock and grief.

A Heartbreaking Discovery

Mukesh Dangi recounted the harrowing moments, describing how he frantically searched for his mother and wife after being alerted by his aunt.

"When I reached the well, it felt as if there had never been a well there,"

he stated, his voice choked with emotion.

 

He continued shouting for them, but there was no response. The scene of the collapse, which reduced the well to a mere indentation in the ground, left the family shattered.

Six-Hour Rescue Operation

The extensive rescue operation commenced around 1:30 PM, involving four JCBs and three Poclain machines. Teams from the administration, police, and revenue department, alongside villagers, worked tirelessly for nearly six hours.

Excavation efforts continued until 7 PM. Despite initial hopes of finding them alive with every scoop of soil removed, the grim reality set in as evening approached.

Rupa Bai's body was recovered first at 5:30 PM from approximately 12 feet deep. Later, Priyanka's body was found at 6:45 PM, buried at a depth of 20 feet.

Final Conversations and Untouched Meals

Mukesh Dangi shared the painful memory of his last conversation with his mother. He had asked her to bring food for the laborers and artisans to the field that morning. He never imagined it would be their last exchange.

The women arrived at the field around 11 AM with two tiffins and mangoes. Mukesh, along with laborers and an artisan, went to eat under a Khejri tree about 300 meters away, while his mother and wife remained near the well.

Tragically, the tiffins packed for his mother and wife, along with the mangoes Rupa Bai had carefully wrapped for her son, were later found untouched. The food, meant for a shared meal, had dried up over three days, a poignant symbol of the sudden loss.

The Newly Built Well

The well, which collapsed, had been an old structure undergoing reconstruction for about 15 days to make it permanent. Significant resources were invested, including approximately 5 quintals of rebar, 100 bags of cement, along with sand and gravel.

Construction was almost complete by Tuesday, with a channel dug and pipes laid overnight to fill the new well for irrigating orange trees. The women were reportedly cleaning the area around this newly fortified structure when it gave way.

A Bond Like Mother and Daughter

Village sarpanch, Poonam Dangi, highlighted the exceptional bond between the deceased. She stated,

"Rupa Bai and Priyanka shared a relationship more like mother-daughter than mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Both used to do most of the household and farm work together."

 

Villagers speculate that Priyanka, being closer to the well, might have begun sinking first, prompting Rupa Bai to rush to her aid, only to be buried alongside her.

Three Children Left Motherless

The tragedy has left Mukesh Dangi's family shattered. He lost both his mother and his wife on the same day. His three young children—11-year-old daughter Sapna, 4-year-old Sharda, and 2-year-old son Mitansh—are now without their mother.

Mukesh was seen showing pictures of his mother to his toddler son, Mitansh, who still seems to expect his mother's return. The collapsed well in Bamangaon stands as a stark reminder of the happiness buried under its debris.

What to Watch Next

The Bamangaon community continues to mourn the profound loss, with villagers grappling with the sudden void left by Rupa Bai and Priyanka. Efforts will likely focus on supporting Mukesh Dangi and his three young children as they navigate this unimaginable tragedy, ensuring they receive the necessary care and assistance in the coming months.