Molvom, August 16 (MExN): Two young boys studying in class 3 and class 4 were reportedly drowned at a stream below Molvom Village on August 15 afternoon.
As per a press release from Molvom Youth & Students' Union (MYSU), the duo, aged 8 and 11 respectively, had gone cycling towards the paddy fields and drowned in the same stream where there is a RCC bridge, built as a part of ongoing railway project.
The Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR) has been carrying out project work in constructing railway network which goes past Molvom Village and has been continuously digging and moving earth, building RCC bridges, filling land, etc, informed that release issued by the MYSU Chairman, Chonminthang Haoloi, and General Secretary, Lamneinem Misao.
It further alleged that the workers did not follow public safety measures, let alone their own personal safety equipment, as required by law while carrying out construction works.
As the construction sites are within the vicinity of the village, the MYSU has expressed deep concerns about the safety hazards of the working environment of the railway construction workers which pose a threat to public life and health, it said.
Several complaints have been received by this office from the Village community regarding the lack of safety measures, it added.
Citing whole “villagers as a witness,” the MYSU stated that foundation of a RCC bridge was build in the same stream where the duo had drowned.
The stream which used to be relatively small and shallow in the past years, but site was excavated 16-20 feet deep beneath the stream bed and was never filled up again even after the construction of the foundation was completed, making the stream water accumulate and fill up, it said.
Upon preliminary inspection by MYSU officials at the site, it was found that there was no safety fence, notice board, warning signs and even the bank of the stream was cut vertically straight into 16-20 feet deep gorge which may take even an adult by surprise which may in turn lead to drowning, it added.
Such sites of the same are present on different locations along the stretch of the railway line at Molvom village, the Union maintained.
In this connection, the MYSU condemned the “negligence” on the part of all workers under the NFR for failing to “provide safety measures in public vicinity which is punishable under relevant sections of the IPC.”
It further offered condolences to the bereaved families and pray that God Almighty gave them solace and comfort.
