Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami called upon the general public to close abandoned pits properly after following all safety procedures to avoid untoward incidents in the future.
In his statement, Mr. Palaniswami condoled the death of two-year-old Sujith Wilson, whose body was recovered from an abandoned borewell pit at Nadukattupatti bear Manapparai in Tiruchi district.
“I extend my deep condolences to Sujith’s parents and relatives,” he said and thanked Ministers and officials who were involved in the rescue round the clock.
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Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh from the Chief Minister's relief fund to Sujith’s family. The AIADMK too announced a sum of ₹10 lakh to the family.
Three Ministers — C. Vijaya Baskar, Vellamandi N. Natarajan and S. Valarmathi — and Commissioner of Revenue Administration were deputed to the site to supervise rescue operations that commenced after the boy fell into the pit on Friday evening.
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It was unfortunate that despite massive rescue operations that went on round the clock, the boy could not be saved, the CM said.
Noting that the procedures and rules to be followed while digging a borewell had been notified in the Government Gazette since long, Mr. Palaniswami said: “I have instructed District Collectors to ensure compliance and to take strict action against violators.”
Mr. Palaniswami would also visit Sujith Wilson’s parents and relatives at Nadukattupatti on Tuesday afternoon, officials said.