Shimla, Jan 13
In a tragic incident near Jholo village of Naldhera Panchayat, a grandmother and granddaughter lost their lives after being hit by falling stones during a field leveling operation involving a JCB. The victims, identified as 70-year-old Geeta Devi and 21-year-old Varsha, both residents of Jholo village, were cutting grass below the field when the accident occurred on Sunday around 1:00 pm.
The police have registered a case against the landowner Besar Dutt, Kewal Ram, and the JCB operator Harinand, citing negligence. The deceased were taken to Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) for postmortem examination.
According to Additional SP Ratan Singh Negi, the incident occurred when stones rolled down the hill due to the JCB’s operations. Despite efforts by onlookers to warn the victims, the stones hit them before they could react, killing them on the spot. Varsha’s body was found stuck in bushes and a drain, requiring significant effort to retrieve.
Varsha was a B.Com final year student at RKMV Shimla, and her untimely demise has left the community in shock. Naldhera Panchayat Pradhan, Sushma Kashyap, expressed deep grief over the loss and extended condolences to the bereaved family.
Eyewitnesses recounted the horrifying moment when large stones began falling, causing panic. The leveling work was underway when the mishap occurred, leaving villagers and family members devastated.
Police sources confirmed that legal action would be taken against those responsible for negligence. Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the exact circumstances leading to the tragedy.
This incident has raised concerns about safety protocols during construction and fieldwork in hilly terrains. The locals emphasized the need for strict measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.
The Shimla administration has assured a thorough probe into the matter to ensure accountability and justice for the victims. Meanwhile, the village remains in mourning, grappling with the loss of two lives in a tragic and preventable accident.
