Periyapatna:  A seven-year-old girl died after she slipped and fell into a water-filled elephant trench at Aladakatte Tribal Hamlet in the taluk yesterday morning. The deceased is Sinchana, daughter of Chandru of the tribal hamlet.

Sinchana, along with her classmates, was playing near the water-filled trench close to her house, when she accidentally fell into it. Her classmates immediately informed her parents, who rushed to the spot, lifted Sinchana from the trench and shifted her to the Government Hospital, where the doctors declared her ‘brought dead.’

Social Welfare Department Assistant Director Ramegowda visited the hospital and consoled the parents. The body was handed over to the family members after post-mortem.

Meanwhile, leaders of the tribal hamlet said that there were more than 110 families in the hamlet and alleged that the Forest Officials have dug more than 12 feet deep trench very close to the hamlet and added that during rains, the mud of the trench would collapse which may result in houses collapsing.

Leaders Jayappa, Shantharaju and M.G. Mohan have urged the authorities to provide Rs. 25 lakh compensation to the family of the deceased girl.