Chennai
Quoting the report extensively and highlighting the flaws in the rescue mission, Stalin expressed shock at the official spokesperson of the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) conceding that they lack expertise in rescuing children trapped in borewells and Sujith’s rescue was their maiden experience. Claiming that the DT Next report has raised specific queries, Stalin said, “It was natural to raise one more question on whether the AIADMK regime had also failed by not summoning military or para-military forces.”
The Leader of Opposition also added that not only he, but the people of Tamil Nadu were anxious to hear the clarification from Chief Minister Palaniswami for failing to rescue the child. Advising the Chief Minister to answer the questions as per his conscience, the LoP appealed to the CM not to brush aside the queries, dismissing them as lies.
Taking exception to the CM’s jibe at Stalin for picking holes in the rescue mission, Stalin said, “The CM is striving to cover up his failure. Hence, he asked a meaningless question on whether I was a scientist. I did not put the query to him in a scientist’s point of view. I raised the doubts as an ordinary person with common sense. We cannot expect truth from a CM who is living in utopia.”
TNCC gives Rs 10 lakh compensation to victim’s kin
Meanwhile, the state Congress has announced Rs 10 lakh compensation to the family of deceased Sujith. State Congress president KS Alagiri on Wednesday said the state government should make efforts to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
Stop suspecting, Jayakumar tells Stalin
"At the time when the entire world is appreciating the state government for the tireless efforts carried out to rescue Sujith, Stalin alone finds fault in the rescue operation and raises suspicion on the government. Stalin should change his vision on the state government,” said Jayakumar in Chennai.
Jayakumar along with host of Ministers and MLAs paid respect to Muthuramalingam Thevar on his 112th Jayanti by garlanding his statue in Nanadanam. Following the function, Jayakumar while addressing reporters said that based on the instructions from Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, Ministers and MLAs rushed to the spot where rescue operations were carried out.
The Ministers along with officials, rescue teams comprising of Fire fighters and State and National Disaster Response Force, worked dedicatedly to rescue Sujith from the borewell. “The rescue operation was carried out on a war footing without wasting a single minute and when the government was wholeheartedly committed in the rescue works Stalin is repeatedly blaming the state for not able to rescue Sujith,” Jayakumar said.
After the operations to rescue Sujith failed, the state had faced criticism on the involvement of various agencies in it which delayed the rescue works. Various political leaders have questioned the lapses in the rescue operations and absence of technology to lift children trapped in borewells.
Pointing out that the real solution for the issue can be only prevention, commissioner of revenue administration J Radhakrishnan urged the media not to speculate and believe in rumours spread in connection with the failed rescue operation of two-year-old Sujith Wilson.
The rescue operations were done professionally as per the standard operating procedures prescribed by the National Disaster Response Force, but the rocky terrain conditions proved tough to break through. Commenting about the 80-hour long operation to rescue Sujith alive, Radhakrishnan said that a team of over 600 people worked for more than four days hoping to rescue the victim. To a query on the body of the deceased not displayed, Radhakrishnan said that it was a conscious decision as the child’s body had completely decomposed and dismembered.
We lack skills to save kids, says Seeman
Naam Tamilar Katchi leader Seeman on Wednesday criticised the state government for not able to rescue Sujith alive in the rescue operation. “We do not have the simple technique of rescuing children trapped in bore wells, yet we sent probes like Mangalyan to Moon. All the technological developments we speak are just words, but nothing has transpired into action,” said Seeman, after paying respects to Muthuramalinga Thevar on his birth anniversary in Chennai. Seeman said, “The government which could not rescue a child trapped in a bore well wants us to believe that it will rescue people from nuclear and industrial disasters. In reality, we do not have any technology to save people from disasters.”
Police register suspicious death case
The Manapparai police on Wednesday registered a suspicious death case on the demise of toddler Sujith Wilson. On Tuesday, the Vengaikurichi VAO Hussai Beevi lodged a complaint. Based on it, the police registered a case under IPC section 174 (Suspicious Death). According to police, the section would be later altered into 304 (II) (Causing death) and the accused would be punished. However, on this case, the section may not be altered further, the police informed.
Parents thank all
Meanwhile, the parents of Sujith Wilson thanked everyone who put their efforts to rescue their son. “As soon as the baby fell into the abandoned bore well, the Fire and Rescue Service personnel were informed and officials from all the departments have camped here and attempted to rescue our son. We thank the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and DMK president and other political leaders, who have stood by us,” said Britto Arockiaraj. He said that they do not want to blame anyone on this since the rocky terrain only hindered the rescue of the baby. “Everyone worked dedicatedly,” he added.
Spent Rs 5 lakh, 5,000 liters of diesel, informs Collector
The Collector issued a severe warning against those who spread false information that Rs 11 crore was spent to retrieve the body of Sujith Wilson and said that the actual expense was Rs 5 lakh and 5,000 liters of diesel. After miscreants spread information of Rs 11 crore as expense for the operation, it went viral. Collector S Sivarasu issued strict warning against those who spread wrong information. He said that those who came for the rescue operation refused any remuneration and the district administration had taken care of their basic requirements, including food. “Even the private JCB operators did not demand any money but volunteered their contribution. So, we have planned to initiate criminal action against those who spread wrong information about the expenses on social media,” the Collector warned. Meanwhile, he thanked the volunteers and the private firms who readily came to contribute their ideas and machineries for the rescue operation.
AIADMK IT wing creates app to locate abandoned borewells
The IT wing of AIADMK has developed an application named ‘Whistle Reporter’ to identify abandoned borewells and to close them after the tragic death of Sujith in a borewell. The app uses the location of the users where the users are asked to report abandoned borewells by just tapping the green button on the home page of the app. An alert would be immediately sent to the admin of the app and it will be shared with the party workers in the area, who will take immediate steps to close the borewells. “The app will help in mapping the abandoned borewells across the state. Using the data, the abandoned borewells would be closed. However, this is possible only with the support of the public,” said a tweet from the AIADMK IT wing.
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