PONDA
A 60-year-old rider from Jamboli-Molem died on Sunday night when his scooter fell into a pit dug to lay underground power lines at Molem.
Tension prevailed in the area for some time as residents on Monday morning blocked the JCB which was involved in the excavation work.
According to Collem police, the incident took place as Raju Bhat was returning home on his scooter at about 8.30 pm.
There were no signboards cautioning motorists regarding the pit dug a few days ago by the roadside. In a bid to negotiate an oncoming vehicle, Bhat moved towards the roadside and the scooter fell into the pit.
Bhat was seriously injured and was initially admitted to Piliem Primary Health Centre, from where he was shifted to the GMC hospital, where he was declared dead. The Collem police conducted a panchnama of the accident.
A JCB arrived at the site at about 6 am on Monday to continue with the excavation work, but angry locals stopped the JCB.
As tension flared up, officials from the electricity department rushed to the spot. Angry villagers demanded financial assistance to the family of deceased Raju Bhat. Dharbandora taluka official Vimod Dalal and Collem Police Inspector Sagun Sawant also went to the site to pacify the agitated locals.
The residents dispersed in the afternoon after the contractor promised to pay the compensation to the family of the deceased.
