KALABURAGI/RAICHUR: A labourer died, while another was seriously injured after earth caved in inside a mining shaft at Hutti gold mines in Lingsugur taluk of Raichur district on Sunday.
Sharanabasava Amaresh Veerapur (39) died while working at a depth of 2,800 feet at Mallappa shaft. A pocket of trapped air exploded in the mine, trapping Sharanabasava under rock and soil, sources said. The other labourer, Nirupadi Kanakappa Panlmanakellur (22), who was seriously injured, was first admitted to Hutti Gold Mining Company hospital and later shifted to Belagavi.
After the incident, labourers stopped work and held a dharna in front of the company office, alleging that proper precautionary measures had not been taken.
As a large amount of ore and soil had collapsed inside the mine shaft, the company’s rescue team, officials and labourers struggled to retrieve Sharanabasava’s body.
Board should pay Rs 1 crore to family: MLA
Raichur SP Puttamadaiah said that a case has been registered at the Hutti police station and senior police officers had visited the spot. Company Executive Director Prakash and other officials too visited the area of accident.
Protesting labourers demanded a compensation of Rs 1 crore to the family of the deceased and employment to one of his family members, as agreed upon between labourers and the company management during a similar incident last time.
Former MLA DS Hulageri too arrived at the company premises and got information. He said the company board and chairman will be asked to pay Rs 1 crore as compensation to the family of the deceased.