Nanjangud: A 21-year-old factory worker met his tragic end, after inhaling a hazardous gas at Tandavapura Industrial Area (TANDIA), in Nanjangud on Friday.

Abhishek, son of Doreswamy, a native of Toremavu village in the taluk, is the deceased person. He was employed at ITC Factory and was deputed in Nicotine Manufacturing Unit, when the tragedy struck, it is said.

Abhishek was working in second shift on Friday, when he came in contact with the hot vapour of the poisonous gas and collapsed. He was rushed to a hospital in the town, but efforts made to stabilise his condition, proved futile.

His father blamed the factory management, for their dereliction and negligence in following safety protocol and providing safety gears, in Nicotine Manufacturing Unit, considered as dangerous, that led to his son’s death.

Sub-Inspector of Nanjangud Rural Police Station Ramkumar, Policemen Yogesh and Ramesh visited the spot and made arrangements to shift the body to K.R. Hospital Mortuary in Mysuru.

Protest at mortuary

Meanwhile, the family members with the support of fellow villagers and Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) leaders, staged a flash protest, at the mortuary premises, demanding justice for bereaved relatives and action against the factory officers for failing to discharge their duty, urging the Police to file a First Information Report (FIR) against them.

Learning about the protest, Assistant Commissioner of Mysuru Sub-Division K.R. Rakshith, accompanied by Nanjangud Tahsildar Shivakumar and Nanjangud Rural Police Inspector Suneel Kumar rushed to the protest site. They also brokered truce, instructing the ITC Factory Manager Raveesh, to make arrangements to hand over the compensation amount to the family of the deceased factory worker.

Following this, the protesters called off their stir and allowed to conduct post-mortem of the body. The body was later handed over to the family members.

AC Rakshith told Star of Mysore, a FIR has been already registered with regard to the incident at Nanjangud Rural Police Station. Action will be initiated against the factory Manager and management, upon the receipt of autopsy report. Raitha Sangha leader Hosakote Basavaraju and Trade Union leader Chandrashekar Meti were present.