After nearly 24 hours, body of a 16-year-old tribal girl was recovered which was buried under earth in Rajgangpur area on Monday afternoon.
Thousands of irate locals, keeping the body on spot, demanded compensation for her family members and did not allow the body to be lifted from the spot until compensation paid.
According to sources, the deceased girl identified as Sulochana Toppo(16),
a poor girl and resident of lamloi village in Rajgangpur , was working in a bridge construction work at lamloi-Sunakhan in Rajgangpur. Sulochana had completed matriculation and was aiming to continue her higher education. On Sunday at around 4.30 pm, Sulochana along with another co-worker Sabita Minz (26) had gone near an under construction pillar to drink water, when an accident took place. Sabita however managed to escape while Sulochana was buried inside clay.
After hearing their screaming, another worker at the site rushed to the spot and tried to rescue Sulochana from under the clay but in vain. When this news spread, locals informed the OCl India ltd, and Kutra fire station. Three JCBs and officials from fire station reached the spot and started a search operation. Finally, on Monday, the body could be located. An ODRAF team from Rourkela was called to the spot and at around 4.45 pm which brought out the body buried under 30 feet clay near the pillar.
Irate locals demanded that after the contractor would reach the spot and give compensation, they would allow the body to be lifted.
The Rajgangpur Tehsildar and the SDPO reached the spot and discussed with the agitators. The Rajgangpur Tehilsdar gave Rs 15,000 from the Red Cross fund to the deceased girl’s kin. later, a FIR was lodged.
According to sources, Bipin Agarwal, proprietor of Shanti Construction, Sambalpur, has been awarded contract by the DRDA for construction of the bridge.