BESCOM, BDA, BBMP blame game over death of an eight-year-old

Highlight : Eight year old boy got electrocuted in a BBMP park and lost his life on Monday. All the authorities responsible play the blame game that they're not responsible for his death.

 BENGALURU: on Monday afternoon at the residence of labour contractor Nagaraj in Grape Garden, Kammanahalli, Nagaraj was at loss of words, his wife Gowramma was being consoled by neighbours and relatives, as the body of Uday Kumar the boy was electrocuted in a BBMP park on Sunday evening was ready to be taken on its final journey.

A live wire has been lying unattended in a park where children play for months. It took the death of an eight-year-old boy to rouse Bescom, BDA and BBMP, but only to blame each other. Officials in each of the departments involved in the park works must be held accountable for their criminal negligence. Only stringent action across the board will prove an effective deterrent. “Nagaraj wasn’t at home when the incident took place. He collects payments from customers and distributes it to his labourers every weekend. On Sunday, he was distributing payments near Hennur Main Road when the tragedy struck. When he reached the hospital, he broke down on learning about his son’s death,” said Velayudhan, a neighbour.

“Gowramma was working with a garment factory and quit the job two years ago to look after sons. Every evening, she’d accompany them to the park. Saying it’d be too crowded on Sundays, she stayed home and let her sons go by themselves. We told her Uday is seriously injured and hospitalised. None of us had the heart to reveal the truth to her. Gowramma learnt about the death only when the ambulance carrying the body reached the house on Monday,” said Vimala Subbanna.

“Is it not the BBMP’s fault? How can they leave live electrical wires unattended in a place where children play? Who is responsible for the death of my son? Will law punish the real culprits,” asked Nagaraj.