A 35-year-old woman, Vimla Martoliya, tragically drowned in the Saryu river in Kapkot on Thursday. The incident occurred after the water level in the river rose rapidly due to the alleged opening of a dam by employees of Uttar Bharat Hydro Power Pvt Ltd without prior notice.
Events Leading to the Drowning
Martoliya was collecting water from the river when the dam was opened, leading to a sudden surge in the water level. She got caught in the strong flow of the river and was swept away. Despite the employees allegedly sounding an alarm moments before releasing the water, she could not escape in time.
Response from Hydro Power Company
Kamlesh Joshi, the general manager of Uttar Bharat Hydro Power Pvt Ltd, stated that the company had been carrying out maintenance work for two days. According to him, the district’s sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) was informed about the situation. Joshi claimed that an alarm was sounded just before releasing the water to warn nearby residents.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Villagers, assisted by fire brigade and police personnel, launched a search operation for Martoliya. Her body was discovered approximately 1 kilometer downstream near Chirabgad. She was immediately taken to the community health center in Kapkot, where doctors confirmed her death. The police took custody of her body and sent it to the district hospital for an autopsy.
Villagers’ Reaction and Demands
Upon learning of her death, a group of villagers gathered at the health center and demanded that a murder case be filed against the hydro power company. Harish Aithani, a district council member, criticized the company’s actions, calling the dam opening “a blatant disregard for public safety.” He urged the local authorities to hold the company accountable and to provide financial compensation to Martoliya’s family.
Threat of Protests
Villagers threatened to escalate their protest by placing Martoliya’s body at the company’s office after the autopsy, refusing to move it until legal action was taken against the company. They insisted that the hydro project company must be held responsible for the tragic event.
Ongoing Investigation
Kapkot station officer, Kailash Bisht, confirmed that no formal complaint had been lodged yet. However, the police were actively investigating the matter, and the autopsy was in process to determine the exact cause of death.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What was the primary cause of Vimla Martoliya’s death?
a) Electrocution
b) Fire outbreak
c) Drowning in the Saryu river
d) Road accident
Answer: c) Drowning in the Saryu river - What action did the employees of Uttar Bharat Hydro Power Pvt Ltd allegedly take without notice?
a) Conducted maintenance work
b) Opened the dam
c) Sounded the alarm
d) Closed the dam
Answer: b) Opened the dam - Who criticized the hydro power company for their actions?
a) Kamlesh Joshi
b) Kailash Bisht
c) Harish Aithani
d) The local police
Answer: c) Harish Aithani - Where was Vimla Martoliya’s body found?
a) Near the hydro power plant
b) 1 kilometer downstream near Chirabgad
c) At the dam site
d) Inside the community health center
Answer: b) 1 kilometer downstream near Chirabgad - What demand did the villagers make after learning of Martoliya’s death?
a) A compensation package for the hydro company employees
b) Filing a murder case against Uttar Bharat Hydro Power Pvt Ltd
c) Closing the dam permanently
d) Immediate government intervention for flood prevention
Answer: b) Filing a murder case against Uttar Bharat Hydro Power Pvt Ltd