Bihar: Two girls die, two others faint after fast

BIHARSHAIF: Two minor girls died while two others were undergoing treatment at Biharsharif sadar hospital on Wednesday after they fainted following their two-day fast on the eve of installation of a Shivalinga in a newly constructed temple at Badi Malama under the Sarmera police station area in Nalanda district. The deceased were identified as Simpi Kumari (11) and her cousin Muskan Kumari (10).The two undergoing treatment are Rajni Kumari (10) and Khushboo Kumari (12), both daughters of Shambhu Chaudhary of Bari Malama.
The four, along with many other girls, brought Gangajal from Barh in Patna district to offer on the Shivalinga after its installation in the temple. One Chikoo Kumar of Sarmera said the girls had been fasting for two days to perform rituals before installation of the Shivalinga and walked 3km from Bind with the Gangajal in the sweltering heat. Bari Malama mukhiya Vijay Singh said four of the girls who brought the holy jal (water) to offer on the deity, fainted. A Sarmera police station officer confirmed the death of two minors and said the statements of the guardians of those admitted to Biharsharif hospital were being recorded to ascertain the truth.