2 more die in wall collapse: Death toll eight in seven days
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Bengaluru: It was 3.30 am and the roof over their heads was being pelted by the steady rain.
A mother lay asleep on the bed, while her two sons slept peacefully on the ground. Suddenly, a deafening crash was heard and the rear wall of their house caved in on the sleeping trio within seconds, crushing the sleeping children to death instantly. An almirah that fell on top of the bed when the wall collapsed came to the mother’s rescue, trapping her in between.
Hearing the crash, neighbours rushed to the house and tried to rescue the children, but the two boys had already been smothered to death.
It proved a near-impossible task to remove the debris and take the boys out. The mother, Nagamma, was rushed to Bowring Hospital, where she was treated for minor injuries. Their neighbours immediately called the police and informed her husband Ramachandrappa, who was at work. He is a security guard for an IT company and was on night duty when the tragedy struck.
The police said the two boys were students of KRLS Patel Rama Reddy School in Domlur. Manoj was studying in class nine, while his brother was in class seven. The accident leaves the couple childless.
The police said the house is built next to the compound wall of ASC Centre opposite Command Hospital. After the incident, residents protested against the military officials, claiming their negligence caused it. KRLS School announced a holiday and several students took part in a protest.
The victims’ house is barely a few feet away from the military compound. As there is no proper outlet for the rainwater, it kept falling on the home and 40 others all along the military compound. The collapsed wall had become weak due to heavy rain over the last few days.
Bengaluru in-charge and transport minister Ramalinga Reddy, who visited the spot, announced a compensation of Rs 6 lakh to the family members and promised to cover Nagamma’s medical expenses.
“Civilians seem to have the same problem on the construction of army compound walls. Similar problems are being faced by the people who live in Maya Bazaar and Ejipura. Military officials often treat these people as outcasts. We will hold a formal meeting to discuss these issues."
Shantinagar MLA N.A. Harris said that the military compound wall should actually have been built 20 feet behind its present location. “Though a project is on the cards to rehabilitate the 40 families whose houses are built along the wall, we have been unable to proceed due to the dispute with officials. This will be sorted out soon.”
BBMP commissioner Lakshminarayan acknowledged the severity and said the dispute is centred around the boundary the military claims it has not crossed. But, he maintained, the construction of the compound wall is still technically wrong and said military officials would be asked to demolish the compound wall and build a fence instead.
The Ulsoor police have registered a case of negligence against the military officials and are investigating.
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