Student dies as school building collapses in Puttur

The deceased student has been identified as Shah Rukh Khan (14), the son of Abdul Khader, a resident of Alakemajalu in Bantwal taluk. Poor quality of the construction works is said to be the reason for the tragedy.

The student along with two classmates had been out of the classroom to have drinking water at around 3.45 pm when he accidentally touched the lintel, and the lintel collapsed on him.

According to eye witnesses, there was no proper support to the lintel, which was supported by a single bomboo stick. It has been learnt that one Jayaram from Bolwar is the contractor for the building.

Tense moments prevailed in the surroundings for some time since the public gathered at the spot were firm that the contractor and the engineer should be arrested before removing the student’s body.
Puttur town SI Srikanth, Taluk Panchayat EO Y Shivaramaiah, Tahsildar Dase Gowda, BEO Sheshashayana, Akshara Dasoha Taluk Director Jinnappa Gowda among others tried to pacify the agitators.

The project initially had a budget of Rs 1.20 lakh but it was increased to Rs 2.20 lakh later. Hence, the department had asked the contractor not to continue the work until the revised action plan gets passed. Though the works had been stopped, there was no proper protective steps.

Responding on the incident, Block Education Officer Sheshashayana told Deccan Herald that a departmental inquiry would be conducted into the incident.
A compensation of Rs 30,000 has been announced for the family of the deceased student.
DH News Service