Concrete slab collapse kills three loading workers in Kerala
Kozhikode (Kerala) (PTI): Three people died after a 50-metre-long concrete slab at a Kozhikode Corporation-owned building collapsed on loading workers at Valiyangadi here on Monday, police officials said.
The deceased have been identified as Jabbar, Ashraf and Basheer, who were engaged in loading work at the two-storied building owned by the Kozhikode Corporation in Valiyangadi.
Police said two more persons were injured in the incident.
Police said the incident occurred between 11.30 am and 12 pm when a 50-metre-long concrete slab of the sunshade collapsed on the workers while they were resting in front of a closed shop after engaging in loading work.
Though they were rushed to nearby hospitals by locals, three of them succumbed to their injuries, police said.
Police and the Kozhikode Corporation have launched a probe into the incident.
Soon after the incident, BJP councillors staged a protest at the Kozhikode Corporation office and the Mayor’s office.
Opposition parties alleged that the building, owned by the LDF-ruled Kozhikode Corporation, was unfit for operation as it had been constructed over seven decades ago.
“The last council had declared the building unfit and decided to dismantle it. But there were shops and godowns still operating in the building,” BJP councillors said, alleging that the deaths occurred due to the negligence of the Corporation.
They demanded that a case of culpable homicide be registered against Mayor O Sadasivan.
The protesting councillors were later removed by the police from the Corporation office.
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Vijay says no to CM convoy until swearing-in: TVK
Chennai (PTI): TVK chief Vijay declined to accept the police convoy vehicles provided to Tamil Nadu chief minister as per protocol until his swearing-in, the party said on Thursday.
A police official confirmed that the CM convoy vehicles provided to him "as per protocol" following the announcement of the Assembly election results were returned and have not been withdrawn.
The official also said that arrangements were in place for the swearing-in ceremony.
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) clarified that its party founder Vijay had "personally requested that the convoy vehicles be returned". In a statement here, the TVK said: "Vijay conveyed that he would accept the official chief minister-level security only after forming the government with a decisive mandate".
Four convoy vehicles assigned to Vijay on May 4 after his TVK secured 108 seats in the Assembly polls returned from his residence following his request.
Even on May 6, the police had deployed security near his Panaiyur residence and in front of the Lok Bhavan here when Vijay called on Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to stake his claim to form the government. Vijay did not use the government vehicle to meet the Governor.
