Workers and locals gather at the farm in Sanguem.
SANGUEM
The sudden death of a 55-year-old worker at a farm in Sanguem caused tension among other workers and villagers. Villagers claim that Gongo Zore collapsed to the ground while going to wash his hands at the water pump during the lunch break.
The incident was reportedly brought to the notice of the farm officials but they are alleged to have failed to provide prompt assistance to either shift Zore to the hospital or call for an ambulance. Zore was reportedly struggling on the ground for some time till family members rushed to the site and gave him water to drink, before he breathed his last.
The death sparked off tension at the site as angry villagers rushed to the farm and demanded a thorough investigation into the incident. They blamed the company management for the death of Zore and refused to take the body of the deceased until a complaint was filed against the management. A police force was rushed to the site in an effort to maintain law and order.
Incidentally, the farm management is reported to have offered financial assistance of Rs 2 lakhs to the kin of the deceased worker but the offer was rejected by the villagers.
The issue was, however, subsequently resolved after the intervention of former deputy chief minister Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar, who recommended that the farm officials provide a compensation of Rs 7 lakh to the deceased family. The offer was amicably accepted by both parties.
Sanguem police under the supervision of Police Inspector Pravin Gawas conducted the panchanama and sent the body for post mortem report at District Hospital at Margao.
