VELLORE: Collector R Nanthagopal has directed the administration of Vellore Corporation to regularise the contract labourer Kumar for locating and recovering the body of Priyanka, who fell into an open drain near CMC Hospital on Monday, in the Palar riverbed on Thursday.
Kumar, along with four others, had located Priyanka’s body in Palar riverbed behind Vellore Collectorate in Sathuvachari. Since the girl had fallen into the drain that was left uncovered at Beri Subramaniya Swami Koil Street on Monday night, around 600 personnel from the district administration, police, fire service and National Disaster Response Force (Arakkonam) were engaged in the search operations.
The rescue team had thoroughly searched the drain three or four times on Tuesday and Wednesday, but in vain. When the officials lost faith in the search operations, Kumar and four others located Priyanka’s body. “Collector has directed to regularise the contract labourer for his effort in the search operations. We will implement Collector’s order when there is an opportunity,” said Commissioner of Vellore Corporation Janaki Raveendiran.
Asked whether the Corporation would order an inquiry into the ill-fated incident that claimed the girl’s life, she said they would consult with the Collector and take further action.
She said the Corporation would prepare a detailed report of encroachments in the city limit and carry out a drive to evict the encroachers.