Published Dec 05, 2023 | 6:19 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 05, 2023 | 12:43 PM
Tragedy involving migrant workers at industrial area in Vijayapura. (Screengrab)
Seven migrant labourers were killed when a corn processing unit collapsed in a warehouse at the Aliabad industrial area in Vijayapura late on Monday, 4 December.
Personnel of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), district police, and firefighters have been pressed into action.
The rescue team has managed to recover all seven bodies.
The dead have been identified as Rajesh Mukhiya, 25, Ramrej Mukhiya, 29, Shambu Mukhiya, 26, Ram Balak, 52, Dhuralchand Mukiya (46), Lucko Jhadav (45), and one Krishna — all residents of Samastipur district in Bihar.
Sonu Kumar, also a resident of Bihar, has been rescued. He has been moved to the hospital and is said to be out of danger.
After the first body was recovered, the labourers staged protests demanding justice not only for this incident, but also for previous such incidents as well.
The protestors levelled serious allegations against the warehouse owner, accusing him of disposing of the bodies of two labourers when a similar incident occurred earlier.
Vijayapura SP Rishikesh Bhag Sonawane told reporters: “This tragic incident occurred in the warehouse of Rajguru Food Ltd situated at the industrial area in Vijayapura city. The labourers were trapped after a corn processing unit collapsed.”
“Based on a complaint, an FIR has been registered under IPC section 304 — culpable homicide not amounting to murder — against the warehouse proprietor and supervisor.”
“Eight people were trapped. We rescued one person last night and he was admitted to the hospital. The mortal remains of the remaining seven deceased have been recovered,” SP Sonawane said.
About the rescue operation, SP Somamwane said: “As per the primary information, eight people were trapped in the incident. We have rescued all. As the structure of the unit collapsed, the search operation is still underway. The rescue operation is almost complete.”
He said that further investigation is underway and that the police will take action as per the law.
Minister of Commerce and Industries, Infrastructure MB Patil, who is the Vijayapura district in-charge minister, took stock of the situation after reaching the accident site from Belagavi on Monday night, where he was attending the ongoing Assembly session.
Patil said that he would speak to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and ensure compensation to the victims’ families.
Responding to the allegations of labourers about the warehouse owner, Patil assured them of a thorough investigation.
“It is a tragic incident. Our primary objective is to recover the bodies at the earliest. I am constantly getting updates from the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police about the incident,” Patil told the media.
“After carrying out the autopsy, we will ensure that the deceased migrant labourers’ mortal remains reach their families and home states. We will also intimate their respective state’s district administrations about the tragedy,” added Patil.
Stating the incident will be probed, Patil said: “We cannot come to conclusions at this point on why this incident happened. We will assess why it happened and what faults are on the owner’s part as well. We will identify the culprits and take legal action against them.”
“I will also speak with the chief minister about providing compensation from the state government to the families of the victims and the injured. Though they don’t belong to our state, it is our responsibility. On humanitarian grounds, will make an effort to provide them compensation.”
Patil added that measures would also be taken to get compensation from the warehouse owner.
On labourer’s allegations against warehouse owner, Patil said: “We will enquire about those allegations as well. I have spoken with DC and SP and they have said that the autopsy of the victims will be done all at once.”
“We will carry out all the processes as per their demands. Our current priority is to recover the mortal remains. We will prevent all efforts to cover up previous such incidents,” Patil said, adding that the labourers, who were protesting at the incident site, would get justice.
