Bengaluru, July 2: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar expressed deep sorrow on Thursday over the deaths of seven migrant workers from Bihar and northern Karnataka at a stone crusher unit in Madapattana, Bengaluru South Taluk.
The incident occurred early in the morning when a large rock fell at the stone quarry, resulting in the fatalities. Several others were injured, and rescue teams fear more workers may be trapped under the debris, potentially increasing the death toll. This tragic event took place at the Kaveri Crusher Unit in Madapattana village, under the jurisdiction of the Tavarekere police station.
The Chief Minister stated, “The rock fall at the crusher unit in Madapattana has resulted in the death of seven workers, which deeply saddens me. I pray that God grants eternal peace to the departed souls, gives strength to their families to endure this sorrow, and ensures a swift recovery for the injured. Ensuring the safety of workers in quarries is the responsibility of the mine owners. The government will take appropriate action against mines violating safety regulations.”
Meanwhile, S.T. Somasekhara, the legislator from Yeshwantpur, alleged that the accident was a result of widespread illegal stone quarrying. He demanded that cases be filed against officials from the Mines and Geology Department, the Forest Department, the police, and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board.
Speaking to the media, Somasekhara noted that the incident occurred early in the morning. He has repeatedly raised concerns about illegal stone quarrying in the area.
“I had questioned the Forest Department and the Mines and Geology Department. I also brought this issue before the petition committee. Out of ten workers present at the site, seven died on the spot. I am also receiving reports that another injured worker has passed away,” he stated.
Somasekhara accused the Mines and Geology Department, the Forest Department, and police officials of colluding to operate the quarry illegally.
“This is entirely illegal. I have raised these issues multiple times in the Assembly. I had called a meeting with quarry owners at a resort and instructed them not to operate illegally and to strictly adhere to safety regulations,” he added.
He further claimed, “I clearly instructed them to conduct only authorized blasting operations and to refrain from illegal blasting. These explosions are affecting wildlife and local residents. I have also held meetings with officials from the Mines and Geology Department and the Forest Department. This issue has been discussed three times before the petition committee, but ultimately it was suppressed.”
Referring to a previous incident involving the death of a leopard in the same area, Somasekhara alleged that despite orders for an investigation, the matter was covered up. He emphasized, “I will bring the seriousness of this incident to the attention of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. This is no joke; it concerns the lives of eight to ten people. Officials from the Mines and Geology Department, the Forest Department, the police, and the Pollution Control Board should be named in the FIR.”
The legislator insisted that officials should be named as accused to prevent such tragedies in the future. He noted that powerful individuals might attempt to suppress the case.
Somasekhara also claimed that the quarry where the accident occurred belongs to the family of the president of the Karnataka Stone Quarry Owners Association.
He stated, “The quarry is owned by that family, who have substantial wealth and will try to manage the situation. It does not matter whose quarry it is or whose stone it was. If illegal activities have occurred, the accused should be arrested immediately. The families of the deceased deserve justice.”
He mentioned that not all victims have been identified yet and that he plans to meet with the Chief Minister to demand strict action.
He concluded, “More important than compensation is taking action against the illegal and negligent quarrying activities. Quarry owners should be arrested, and the compensation amount should be recovered from them.”
In response to the incident, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara stated that he would seek a detailed report on the matter. He said, “I will gather all the information. If any aspect falls under my department’s jurisdiction, appropriate action will be taken. Quarry licenses are issued by the Deputy Commissioner and the Mines and Geology Department. Many illegal quarries are operating in the state. We will investigate the facts, and wherever violations are found, action will be taken against illegal quarries.”
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