Residents of Tadivennu in Kruthivennu mandal of Krishna district allege that the death of Akarsh (2) in a sump on April 23 was due to severe shortage of water in the village.
The boy met a watery grave after falling in a two-foot-deep sump arranged at the anganwadi centre.
Residents arranged sumps to store water in many houses as drinking water is supplied only once in three days in the area. Water is supplied only for an hour through taps, according to locals.
Anganwadi teacher Margaret arranged the sump with two cement rings on the centre premises to store water for children, but she covered it partially.
Villagers staged a protest village holding the anganwadi teacher responsible for the death. They reportedly locked the anganwadi school for three days demanding the suspension of Ms. Margaret.
Probe ordered
Women Development and Child Welare department Project Director (PD) K. Krishna Kumari ordered an inquiry into the incident and directed Bantumilli Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) Rajya Lakshmi to submit a report.
“Akarsh was not an anganwadi school student. The incident happened at 5.30 p.m. after school hours. The teacher arranged a small sump in the centre for the convenience of students. We are inquiring into the negligence, if any, on the part of the teacher,” the PD said.
