In a tragic mishap on Thursday, two labourers engaged in construction work of a private building died and several others sustained injuries after they came under debris when the building caved in.
The incident took place at Nuagaon area under Remuna tehsil when the roof casting work was going on. The building under construction is located beside NH-5 between Baleswar and Baripada road and its owner is one Papu Sahoo. While one of the deceased was identified as Rabindra Kisku (35), the other one’s identity was yet to be established.
The injured, admitted in the District Headquarters Hospital, are Manoranjan Bara, Purnachandra Jena, Jayanta Jena and Sunil Sahu — all between 30 years and 40 years of age. The condition of two injured persons was stated to be serious and they were likely to be shifted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, informed the CDMO Anup Ghosh, adding that the treatment expenses of the injured would be borne by the hospital.
Many senior officials, including district Collector Sanatan Malick and SP Awinash Kumar, rushed to the site to supervise the rescue operation. labour Commissioner Salini Pandit was also on the way to Baleswar. A NDRF team was engaged in the rescue operation and debris removal. It was also helped by the local fire brigade and police.
The police registered a case under Section 304 (a) of IPC and began an operation to nab the culprits including the house owner and the contractor. SP Awinash Kumar said, “A case has been registered.
Efforts are on to nab the culprits.” District Collector Mallick said, “A labour case would be initiated. land type, ownership, constructor’s licence and whether the labourers were organised or unorganised etc would be verified and appropriate action would be taken against the culprits. The victims would be given compensation as per rules.”