Three labourers were killed while four others injured after a huge mound of 'Murrum' caved in at Bhendi village under Suregaon police station of Daundilohara block in Balod district here on Tuesday.
Station House Officer (SHO), Suregaon, lM Singh informed that the incident happened at Bendhi village about 6 kms from Suregaon police station. The ill-fated labourers were deployed in some development work under MGNREGA, he said.
A mound of 'Murrum' about 10 feet high was dumped at the place since 2002 for construction of a canal. The labourers were digging out the 'Murrum' when it suddenly caved in, the SHO said, adding, all three of the labourers died on the spot.
After the incident, the mound was dug and the bodies were taken out. The deceased were identified as Joga Bai (45) wife of Kashiram, Basanti Bai (45) and her husband Komal Singh (45) all residents of Bhedi. Four others who were injured in the mishap were rushed to a local hospital. The condition of one person stated to be serious and has been referred to Bhilai for further treatment, the SHO maintained.
Taking note of the incident, Chief Minister Raman Singh has expressed profound grief and empathized with the bereaved families.
The Chief Minister has prayed for speedy recovery of injured victims of the incident and has instructed the officials concerned to provide best medical facilities to them.
Singh has directed Collector Balod, NK Shukla to immediately investigate and take stern action against persons responsible for the incident.
Acting on the Chief Minister's direction, the Collector has suspended Sub-Engineer Panchayat and Village Development Department Subhash Chand Gore and Gram Panchayat Secretary Munnibai Sahu. Apart from them, the services of MGNREGA Employment Assistant Satyesh Das has also been terminated permanently.