Lucknow. A 30-year-old youth died due to drowning in water filled deep pit created by illegal mining in Tikra Kalli Purba village of Mohanlalganj Kotwali area on Thursday evening. The deceased has been identified as Pradeep, a resident of Bahraich. He had come to the village only three-four days ago and was cutting grass near the spot. Meanwhile, the ball of the youth playing cricket fell into a deep pit filled with water. It is alleged that the youth asked Pradeep to get into the water to take out the ball. Since the pit was very deep, he could not judge the depth of the water and he drowned.
As soon as information about the accident was received, the people present nearby informed the police. With the help of local people, the police pulled the youth out of the water and immediately took him to the Community Health Center, Mohanlalganj, where the doctors declared him dead. Harikanshgarhi outpost in-charge Shiv Kumar told that Pradeep used to work as a watchman in a cricket academy. Children were playing cricket in the academy on Thursday evening. Meanwhile, the ball went into a deep pit nearby. Pradeep entered the water to retrieve the ball, but after going deep he drowned. The police informed the deceased's family about the incident through his mobile phone.
Second death due to illegal mining in a week
This is the second incident of drowning in a deep pit created by illegal mining within a week. It may be noted that on August 11 also, 37-year-old Neeraj Yadav, who had come down to wash his hands and feet in the pond after spraying medicine in the fields in Mohanlalganj area, died due to drowning in deep water. Neeraj Yadav, son of Gaya Prasad Yadav, resident of Mau village, slipped into the deep water of the pond. Even after a long search, when he could not be found, SDRF was informed. Neeraj's body was recovered by the SDRF team after a search operation of about 45 minutes. The police took the body into custody and sent it for post-mortem.
After the second consecutive death, anger has increased among the villagers regarding illegal mining in the area. Villagers allege that illegal mining in the area is a result of the failure of responsible officials and police officers. Mining mafias have created deep pits on government land by mining at various places. These potholes have become deadly after the rains when they get filled with water.
Villagers allege that due to lack of effective ban on illegal mining, mining traders are digging soil day and night and leaving deep pits. The villagers have demanded action against illegal mining as well as making such pits safe by filling them. As soon as the family members came to know about the incident, there was chaos in the family. Police have started necessary legal action in the matter.
