Nine farmworkers killed, 15 injured as tractor plunges into canal

Nalgonda: In a gruesome tragedy, as many as nine women farmworkers were killed on Friday after a tractor-trolley in which they were travelled fell into a canal in Nalgonda district. As many as 15 others suffered injuries in the incident.

The accident happened when the tractor-trolley's driver allegedly lost control over the vehicle while talking on his mobile phone, the police said. The vehicle plunged into the Alimineti Madhava Reddy Canal in the district. 

Nalgonda Superintendent of Police A V Ranganath said 30 people were in the tractor-trolley. They were going from Padamati Tanda to Pulicherla for agricultural work. “As per the preliminary inquiry, it came to our notice that the driver of the vehicle was talking over mobile phone when the accident occurred. We will verify that. 

Apparently, the driver lost control of the vehicle and it fell into the canal,” the police said. A case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder has been registered against the driver, who is at large. Power Minister G Jagadish Reddy, who hails from Nalgonda district, expressed shock over the incident.

The deceased were identified as Ramvath Sona (70), Ramavath Jija (65), Jarkula Dwali (30), Ramavath Keli (30), Ramavath Kamsali (50), Banavath Dhari (55), Ramavath Bharathi (35), Ramavath Sunitha (30).  At the time of incident, there were 30 labourers travelling in the tractor trolley and were heading towards Pulicharla from Padamati Thanda for agriculture work.

Alerted by screams of the farmworkers, local people rushed to the spot and undertook rescue operations. The police, who reached the sport, rescued 20 persons and they were admitted to Devarakonda Government Hospital. The bodies of the victims were retrieved from the canal. 

Meanwhile, Minister for Energy G Jagadish Reddy, Leader of Opposition K Jana Reddy, District Collector Gaurav Uppal and MLA Ramavath Ravindra Kumar visited the spot and consoled the bereaved family members. 

The Minister announced Rs 2 lakh ex gratia each to the next of the deceased, two-bedroom houses, free education to the victims’ children. He said three acres of land too would be given to families of deceased if land is available in the village.

Zilla Parishad Chairman Balu Naik, MP Gutha Sukender Reddy and BJP district unit president Nukala Narsimha Reddy
Ramavath Hanma, who is travelling in the ill-fated tractor saved the 14 labourers. Appreciating Hanma’s courage Superintendent of Police A V Ranganath said the police would recommend his name for President Award.