VISHVENDU JAIPURIAR
Hazaribag, Jan 8: An elderly couple in Hazaribag was found dead from asphyxiation in their home in Jharpo village of Tatijharia on Sunday morning. The deceased couple were identified as 65-year-old Bishun Mahto and 60-year-old Punia Devi. The couple is survived by two daughters and two sons. Duo sons are based in other cities, while the daughters have been married as well. Meanwhile, the couple was living here alone.
Villagers said that the couple was sleeping in their room and had lit a coal stove to beat the cold in the room.
Police officials have further claimed that the smoke from the stove may have caused suffocation leading to their death. Notably, the room in which they were sleeping did not have proper ventilation which resulted in their death.
According to villagers, when the house doors did not open till 9 in the morning, they suspected something unusual. “We broke open the door to enter the house and found their room filled with smoke. “Bishun and his wife Punia were found dead on the bed,” they added.
The couple’s elder son Bajrangi Prasad is in Mumbai with his family and works in a hotel. Their younger son, Vikas Prasad is a taxi driver and lives in Delhi with his family. Mukhiya Shibu Prasad Soni said they are waiting for their sons to arrive to perform the last rites.
“What happened is very unfortunate as the couple was very good-natured and social,” he added.
