Report- Brijnath Tiwari (Gola Tehsil Incharge)
Golabazar, Gorakhpur. 45-year-old Chhangur Sonkar, who was seriously injured after being hit by a leveler machine engaged in construction work on Ramjanaki road near Chand intersection of Gola suburb, died during treatment at around 10 am on Monday morning. As soon as the news of his death was received, there was chaos in the family and anger spread among the villagers. Family members and hundreds of villagers started protesting by placing the dead body at Chand intersection at around 7:30 pm on Monday evening, demanding compensation and job to a family member. Within no time, traffic on the main road came to a standstill and long queues of vehicles formed on both sides.
On receiving information about the jam, Gola Kotwal CP Pandey reached the spot with the police team. Seeing the seriousness of the situation, SDM Gola Manish Kumar, CO Darvesh Kumar and Naib Tehsildar Jaiprakash also arrived. Apart from this, police forces were called from nearby police stations including Badhalganj, Uruwa and Gagaha. The officials tried to end the jam by talking to the protesters and their families.
The family remained adamant on the demand for proper financial compensation to the family of the deceased and giving a job to one member. SDM Manish Kumar assured to provide assistance from the government, make efforts to provide employment to the family members, take forward the litigation regarding the machine and provide financial assistance from the concerned company. After assurance from the officials, the family calmed down and removed the body from the intersection and took it home for cremation. After about one and a half hour the jam ended and traffic became normal.
### The accident happened on Thursday night
Late Harilal, son of Changur Sonkar, resident of Khatikna Mohalla of Gola suburb, was strolling with a friend late on Thursday night. Meanwhile, about 100 meters west of Chand intersection, near Phal Mandi towards Uruva Road, the caterpillar leveler machine of Bhardwaj Unibuild Company, which was engaged in the construction of Ramjanaki Road, got hit. In critical condition, he was first referred to the private hospital of Gola, then to Barhalganj and later to the Medical College. He died on Monday after battling for life and death for several days.
Questions raised on construction site safety
After the accident, questions have been raised regarding the operation of heavy machines at the construction site and the safety of pedestrians. Local people say that during the construction work, there should be adequate signage, security cordon and warning arrangements, so that the lives of the pedestrians are not at risk. According to the police, a case has already been registered in connection with the accident.