A boy drowned on Monday afternoon after falling into a water‑filled excavation for an incomplete drainage project in Kushtia’s Kumarkhali.
The victim, Ifat, 6, son of Kamrul Hasan of Elangi area, was a class one student at Baitul Ulum Islamia Cadet Madrasa.
Police and relatives said he went out around 3pm with his cousin to graze goats. When he did not return, family members began searching and found his sandals near the under‑construction drain around 4pm.
He was rescued from the water and taken to Kumarkhali Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him brought dead.
Locals said the municipality authorities began a 500‑metre drainage project from Manik Sheikh’s house to the Gorai River a year ago, but construction never started after excavation, leaving a deep waterlogged ditch.
They blamed negligence by the contractor and authorities for the tragedy and demanded accountability.
The incident left the area in mourning. Ifat’s mother was inconsolable, while his father fell ill and was admitted to hospital. Contractor Liton Ali said he was overseeing the project but claimed he was unaware of the accident.
Kumarkhali Police Station Officer-in-charge Jamal Uddin said legal steps would follow if a written complaint is filed.
