Sugarcane spill: Farmers demand Rs 1 crore compensation each for workers killed

Bailhongal: Family members of the person killed and farmers staged a protest at Channamma Circle in the town demanding Rs 1 crore compensation for the employees who died due to boiling sugarcane juice spilling on them while valves of Actuated Valve Control Packages (AVCP) were being replaced at compartment-1 of Inamdar Sugars at Markumbi village in Bailhongal taluk.

The protest was withdrawn after factory officials announced to give Rs 20 lakh compensation as first instalment.

As the remains of Manjunath Madiwalappa Kajgar (28) resident of Aravalli village in Bailhongal taluk arrived, farmers and family members stopped the vehicle at Channamma Circle and resorted to protest.

Karnataka Rajya Rait Sanga President Chunappa Pujeri demanded that the sugar factory give Rs 1 crore as compensation to next kin of the each deceased and management board members be arrested. "We have rejected the Rs 15 lakh compensation offered by the factory."

Farmers raised slogans against the factory management and demanded that they arrive at the spot to announce compensation amount.

Madiwalappa Kajgar said that the factory was responsible for his son's death. "We have lost a breadwinner. My son had gone for work and has returned as dead body."

Inamdar Sugars Managing Director Ravindra Pattanshetti arrived to talk with the farmer leaders, but they remained stubborn on their demand that management members arrive and compensation of Rs 1 crore be given to the kin of the each deceased.

Tahsildar Hanmant Shirhatti made efforts to pacify the protestors, but they remained stubborn.

Protestors were informed that factory will give first instalment compensation of Rs 20 lakh and management will visit the families and announce more compensation.

Pujeri said, police officials have taken responsibility to get compensation for the victims and the assurance if not honoured, we shall protest infront of the factory and lock it.

Later remains of Manjunath were taken for last rites.