A heart-wrenching incident unfolded in Ujjain on Friday evening as a boundary wall collapsed during heavy rains, claiming the lives of 27-year-old Ajay Yogi and 22-year-old Farheen Rathore. The victims were packing up their makeshift shops near the Mahakal Temple, a popular tourist destination, when the tragedy struck.
In response to the devastating loss, family members of the deceased staged a sit-in protest on Saturday, demanding compensation of Rs 50 lakh. The protesters, who gathered at the Mohan Nagar crossing, carried Yogi’s body and blocked traffic on the Ujjain-Agar road for over an hour. They called for not only financial compensation but also a government job for a family member of the deceased and strict action against those responsible for the incident.
The demonstration concluded after sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) LN Garg and police officials assured the family that their demands would be forwarded to the state government. Protesters alleged that the collapse was due to an improper drainage system and demanded accountability from officials.
Collector Neeraj Kumar Singh has instructed the SDM to investigate the cause of the wall’s collapse and related issues. Meanwhile, two other victims, Sharda Bai, 40, and three-year-old Ruhi Rathore, daughter of the deceased woman, are receiving treatment at a hospital in Indore and are reported to be stable.
Eyewitnesses described the chaos that ensued as the wall fell, highlighting the dangers posed by deteriorating infrastructure during heavy rain. The community continues to call for improved safety measures to prevent future tragedies.
This incident raises concerns about infrastructure safety and accountability. The Orissa High Court recently ordered Rs 10 lakhs compensation to the family of a minor who lost his life due to a school wall collapse, emphasizing the importance of maintaining safe infrastructure.
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