Two of the five labourers engaged in an underground drainage work at Kamarjoda under Joda police limits in Keonjhar died after chucks of earth came crashing on them on Tuesday. The deceased were identified as Charan Lohar and Arjun Lohar of Joda area.
As per reports, work on the underground pipelines was going on this afternoon. The soil was being dug out from 12 to 15 ft depth to lay drainage pipes. Water pipes and slurry pipes of various companies passed underground in the area.
It was alleged that the construction agency Chevrox Constructions Private Limited which has taken up underground drainage work should have removed the pipes first before carrying out the work as a safety measure, but that was not done.
As many as five labourers were working under a network pipelines when chunks of earth crashed into the pit trapping three labourers inside. One of them, identified as Mukesh Sardar, was rescued with much difficulty while Charan Lohar and Arjun Lohar got stuck inside and died.
Sources said, the construction agency has sublet the drainage work to a petty contractor who has no expertise in the work.
Following the tragic incident, tension gripped the area. Angry people encircled the office of the construction agency at Kalapahad Chhak and demanded compensation for the bereaved families. Locals also alleged that the rescue operation was started one hour after the incident. They said, if the rescue operation had started promptly, the lives of the stuck labourers could have been saved.
After the mishap, no officials were found at the office of the construction agency.
No reactions from the construction agency and police were received.