Several efforts were made to rescue Sujith Wilson: TN CM

Tamil Nu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Tuesday said several efforts were me to save three-year-old boy who died trapped in a borewell, even as opposition DMK alleged that state government h a "lethargic attitude" towards rescuing toddler.  Palaniswami also directed officials to ensure strict enforcement of rules for digging of borewells.

'Rescue efforts were carried out day and night'

Rescuers early on Tuesday pulled out decomposed and mangled body of Sujith Wilson from deep inside unused borewell, after a futile 80-hour attempt to save child who h fallen in while playing near his house in Nukattupatti in Tiruchirappalli. Expressing grief over Wilson's death, Palaniswami said he h deputed three ministers and Revenue ministrationCommissioner J Rhakrishnan, to oversee rescue operations. "Many difficulties were faced when a separate borewell (shaft) was being dug near one (where Wilson was trapped) due to presence of hard rocks. Overcoming all of m, rescue efforts were carried out day and night," he said in a statement.

Modern equipment was deployed in this process, but despite se efforts, Wilson was retrieved de, chief minister said.  "Rules regarding sinking of borewells have alrey been framed and published in a gazette. I have directed district collectors to ascertain if rules are duly followed," he said. Palaniswami said he has directed stringent action against those who did t comply with rules and appealed to people to follow stipulations while digging borewells to prevent recurrence of such incidents. 

He expressed his gratitude to all those involved in rescue efforts. DMK hit out at state government, with its president M K Stalin saying, " lethargic attitude of government is also a reason (for child's death)." He was speaking to reporters after visiting cemetery where Wilson was buried earlier in day. After meeting Wilson's grieving parents, he said re was a feeling "if some ministers and officials showed same keenness in rescue efforts like y did to give interviews to TV channels," over issue. Relevant government departments should have been aware of nature of rocks in area, Stalin said, ding that Wilson "could have been saved at 36 ft itself". "Why were t NDRF and army called in soon after incident.. my intention is to t to criticise government but we don't want ar child to face Sujith's fate," he said. 

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