The Tiruchi Rural Police has arrested M. Tamizhselvan (30), the chief mason, in connection with the Monday’s incident of wall collapse in a rice mill under construction at Palaiyur near Mannachanallur that claimed the lives of four women construction labourers.
The rice mill owners K. Thirugovinda and his brother K. Karthi also cited as the accused are said to be absconding. Police sources said the Mannachanallur Police has registered a case under Section 304A (Causing death by negligence) and are on the look out for the rice mill owners. Police personnel attached to the Armed Reserve have been posted at the accident spot.
Meanwhile, the State Forest Minister N. Selvaraj visited the injured undergoing treatment at the Annal Gandhi Memorial Government Headquarters Hospital and at a private hospital here and enquired about their health conditions.
Treatment is being provided under the Kalaignar Insurance Scheme to the two injured persons at the private hospital. The Dean, K.A.P. Viswanatham Government Medical College, Tiruchi Dr. N. Balasubramanian and other medical experts accompanied the Minister.
The Minister inspected the accident spot to obtain first hand information about the incident from the locals. Mr. Selvaraj visited the residences of the deceased at Gopurapatti, Thiruvarangapatti and Valmalpalayam villages and placed wreaths on the bodies and consoled the family members of the victims.
Later, he gave away a relief amount of Rs. 50,000 sanctioned under the Chief Minister’s General Relief Fund to the families of the deceased. The District Collector T. Soundiah accompanied the Minister. Mr. Selvaraj also gave away a sum of Rs.10,000 each under the CM’s General Relief Fund to the injured persons at the hospital.
Meanwhile, members of the Tiruchi district Tamil Nadu AITUC Construction Workers Association led by its district secretary K. Suresh and deputy secretary P. Durairaj met the families of the deceased and expressed their condolences. They also met the families of the injured.
The Association said that the huge wall that was constructed without concrete pillars posed a great danger. It said the owners of huge buildings and industries should necessarily adhere to the safety standards, Mr. Suresh said in a statement.
The Association has urged the State government to provide Rs.10 lakh as compensation to the families of the deceased and sanction adequate amount for the injured.
