Daijiworld Media Network - Palamu

Palamu, Jul 10: A woman has been arrested in Jharkhand's Palamu district for allegedly throwing her two young daughters into a well following a domestic dispute before jumping into it herself. While the woman was rescued by villagers, both children died.

The incident occurred on Wednesday night in Kanda village. The accused has been identified as Sarita Devi, wife of Chhote Lal Prajapati, a labourer.

According to the preliminary investigation, an argument broke out between the couple on Wednesday evening. Police said Sarita Devi allegedly picked up her two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Dolly, who was sleeping in her grandmother's lap, and threw her into a nearby well.

She then allegedly threw her four-year-old daughter, Priya, into the same well.

Police said Sarita Devi also allegedly attempted to throw her six-year-old daughter, Sushma, into the well. However, the child resisted and raised an alarm, forcing the woman to abandon the attempt before jumping into the well herself.

Alerted by the child's cries, villagers rushed to the spot and rescued Sarita Devi. However, the two younger girls could not be saved.

Police have registered an FIR and arrested the accused. She is being produced before the court for judicial remand.

The bodies of the two children were sent to Medinirai Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem examination on Thursday.

Police said further investigation is underway to ascertain the circumstances that led to the incident.