Woman Killed, Five Injured as Tree Falls During Ram Leela in Jagatsinghpur

Kujang: In a tragic incident, a woman lost her life and five others, including a minor girl, sustained injuries after a coconut tree collapsed during a Ram Leela performance at Balarampur village under Kujang police limits late Friday night.

The deceased has been identified as Kuni Das (34), wife of Tutu Das, a resident of Samagol village in the Kujang area. The injured have been identified as Madhusmita Behera (22), Priyanka Sahoo (9), and Lilly Sahoo (18) among others from Balarampur village. They are currently undergoing treatment.

The mishap occurred during the staging of Ram Leela, a traditional folk play based on the Hindu epic Ramayana, performed annually at the Maa Basulei Peeth during the Chaitra festival. The play had commenced on April 23 and was scheduled to conclude on April 28.

According to reports, the incident took place on the third night of the performance when a coconut tree near the stage suddenly fell on the audience, killing Kuni Das on the spot and injuring several others. The play was immediately halted following the accident.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the accident occurred when an actor portraying Hanuman attempted to tie one coconut tree to another using a rope with the help of a tractor as part of his act. The tree reportedly collapsed due to a weakened root system, possibly damaged by insects.

“There was a mild wind blowing during the play. The tree may have fallen due to internal damage caused by pests,” said Smriti Ranjan Behera, former panchayat samiti president.

Local police have registered a case and are conducting further investigations into the incident. The tragic episode has cast a shadow over the festive celebrations in the region.