Post News Network
Bargarh, August 13: A farmhand, who fell ill while applying pesticides in paddy crops without taking precautionary measures, died at Burla-based VSS Medical College and Hospital Thursday. The deceased was identified as Bhima Khadia (45) of Amalipali village under Atabira block of this district.
The harmful effects of the pesticides also left Ramakrushna Dharua (35), Parshuram Bhoi (30) and Manoranjan Munda (30) of Amalipali and Durbadal Pera (45) of Kubedega critically ill. They are battling for their lives at the same hospital.
On the other hand, Burla police have seized Bhima’s body and sent it for
post-mortem, besides registering a case of unnatural death.
According to sources, G Satyanarayan of Amalipali had engaged six persons, including Bhima and other victims, as labourers in his agriculture land.
Monday morning, the labourers had applied a mixture of pesticides in
the farmland. Sources said the labourers neither wrapped their heads and faces with towels nor did they cover their hands with gloves while applying the pesticides.
After applying the pesticides till 12.30 pm, the labourers returned to their homes for lunch. They again went to
the paddy field and applied pesticides on the crops without any precautionary measure before returning to their
homes around 3 pm.
However, after their return, Bhima, Manoranjan, Ramakrushna and Parshuram fell ill, the sources said.
They were admitted to a hospital at Pahadasrigada. After preliminary treatment, doctors referred all the patients to the VSS Medical College and Hospital around 8 pm for further treatment. Bhima succumbed to his illness Thursday morning.
In another incident, Durbadal also fell ill after he applied pesticides without wearing any protective gear Sunday.
He was admitted to a hospital in Bheden before being shifted to VSS Medical College and Hospital as his condition worsened.