Kolar Farm Pit Deaths Rise to Nine Despite Karnataka Safety Orders

NewsFlash Daily™

26 May

Children among victims as unsafe agricultural pits trigger repeated tragedies in Kolar

Kolar: Agricultural pits in Karnataka’s Kolar district have turned into deadly traps, with nine people, including several children, losing their lives in separate incidents over the last 20 days. Despite strict instructions from district authorities to install safety fencing and protective barriers around farm ponds, fatal accidents continue to be reported from multiple taluks.

In the latest incident, two young brothers drowned after accidentally falling into a farm pit near Kottur village in Malur taluk on Sunday. The deceased have been identified as Devakiran, 12, and Vinut, 9. The children, students of a residential school, had reportedly come to their grandfather’s house for summer holidays when the tragedy occurred.

Officials from the Masti Police Station visited the spot and conducted an inspection after the incident.

District Collector safety deadline fails to stop deaths

Following a series of fatal accidents earlier this month, District Collector MR Ravi had directed landowners to install barbed wire fencing and implement mandatory safety measures around agricultural pits within one week. However, the continued deaths have raised serious questions over enforcement and negligence at the ground level.

Authorities have now reportedly instructed officials to shut down or secure farm pits lacking proper safety arrangements.

“Farm pits without safety measures cannot continue to remain open and unattended,” officials stated during the review process.

List of recent farm pit deaths shocks district

The growing number of deaths has created panic across villages in Kolar district, especially among parents and farmers living near agricultural ponds.

1. On May 5, Tanushree, 15, and Karthik, 8, from Bodenahalli village in Bangarpet taluk died after falling into a farm pit.
2. On May 8, Narendra, 25, and Chandan, 24, drowned while reportedly swimming in a farm pond at Pachharamakalahalli in Srinivasapura taluk.
3. On May 17, Srinivas, 40, along with his sons Chethan, 13, and Rajesh, 8, lost their lives in Nakkanahalli village of Malur taluk after falling into an agricultural pit.
4. With the deaths of Devakiran and Vinut on May 25, the total toll has now risen to nine within less than three weeks.

Highway accident adds to tragedy in Kolar

In another incident, a nine-year-old boy died and four others were injured after an Innova car crashed into a divider on the Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway in Kolar district. The deceased has been identified as Muzamil, 9, a native of Bangarpet.

The injured, identified as Syed Ullah, Syed Afrid, Yasmin, and Asiba, were admitted to SNR District Hospital for treatment. Police have registered a case under the jurisdiction of Masti Police Station and launched an investigation into the accident.