Date: 2026-07-16Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
NHRC, India has taken suo motu cognizance of the reported death of three children due to drowning in the ‘Ash Dyke Lagoon’ constructed by the NTPC in the Muzaffarpur district, Bihar
**NHRC Notice Regarding Drowning Deaths in Muzaffarpur, Bihar**
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, has taken *suo motu* cognizance of media reports concerning the deaths of three children due to drowning in an ‘Ash Dyke Lagoon’ in the Muzaffarpur district of Bihar. The lagoon was constructed by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) in the Kanti area to store coal ash.
**Key Findings and Allegations:**
* **Incident Details:** Media reports from July 12, 2026, highlighted the drowning of three children in ponds used for coal ash storage.
* **Safety Lapses:** The reports indicate a lack of warning boards in the vicinity. Furthermore, there was an absence of security personnel to prevent villagers from entering the hazardous area to collect coal residue for commercial sale.
* **Human Rights Concerns:** The Commission noted that these allegations, if proven true, constitute a serious violation of human rights.
**Action Taken:**
The NHRC has issued formal notices to the following officials:
1. **Chairman and Managing Director, NTPC, Delhi**
2. **Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Muzaffarpur, Bihar**
**Directives and Timeline:**
The aforementioned authorities are required to submit a detailed report on the matter within **two weeks**.
**Reference Data:**
* **Release ID:** 2285503
* **Date of Notice:** July 16, 2026
* **Location of Incident:** Kanti area, Muzaffarpur, Bihar
Key Entities Referenced
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): The statutory body that took suo motu cognizance of the deaths and issued notices regarding potential violations of human rights.
National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC): The power corporation responsible for the construction and maintenance of the 'Ash Dyke Lagoon' where the drowning incident occurred.
Muzaffarpur, Bihar: The primary location of the incident and the jurisdiction of the Senior Superintendent of Police required to submit a detailed report.
National Human Rights Commission
NHRC, India has taken suo motu cognizance of
the reported death of three children due to
drowning in the ‘Ash Dyke Lagoon’ constructed
by the NTPC in the Muzaffarpur district, Bihar
Issues notices to the Chairman and Managing Director,
NTPC, Delhi and Muzaffarpur SSP, calling for a detailed
report on the matter within two weeks
प्रव तथ: 16 JUL 2026 7:53PM by PIB Delhi
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report
that three children died due to drowning in the ‘Ash Dyke Lagoon’ constructed by the National Thermal
Power Corporation (NTPC) in the Kanti area of Muzaffarpur district, Bihar. A huge amount of coal ash is
stored by the NTPC in these ponds. Reportedly, no warning boards were installed in the area.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of violation
of human rights. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Chairman and Managing Director, NTPC, Delhi
and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, calling for a detailed report on the matter
within two weeks.
According to the media report, carried on 12th July 2026, no security personnel have been deployed to
restrict the entry of villagers to these ponds to collect coal residue to sell in the market.
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NSK
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