Gerald’s death is murder, not accident - IFKCA

Gerald’s death is murder, not accident - IFKCA

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, May 29, 2012: The International Federation of Karnataka Christian Associations (IFKCA) has alleged that the death of lineman Gerald Veigas in Vamanjoor is murder, not accidental death. 

Denis D’Silva, state convener of IFKCA, told reporters at a press conference on May 29, Tuesday that Gurumurthy, branch officer of the Vamanjoor feeder, forced linemen Shanthakumar and Gerald Veigas to repair a fault in Vamanjoor without asking the permission of either the assistant chief executive engineer or the Kavoor branch officer.

 

Gerald was checking for faults in Vamanjoor, which had no power at that time, on May 21, Saturday. He fixed two jumpers and was fixing the third one when electricity passed through the wire and he was electrocuted on the spot. 

Speaking about the tragedy, Mr. D’Silva said that Mescom did not provide the deceased any safety equipment. Electricity flowed into the wire when the GOS was started in Mangalajyothi. He also alleged that Gurumurthy, instead of taking Gerald to hospital or giving him any first aid, fled from the spot. 

He said that Manjappa, chief executive engineer for the Mangalore Division, made a baseless statement before the media that employees from one branch can be made to work in another branch. Mr. D’Silva alleged that this statement was made to protect Gurumurthy. 

Stating that Gerald’s death is murder, he said that Gurumurthy has not yet been arrested although the family of the deceased has filed a police complaint. 

He demanded that Manjappa and Gurumurthy must be suspended immediately and urged Mescom to provide funds for the education of the deceased’s children. He warned that Gerald’s family, members of the public, and some social unions will gherao the Mescom office if the police do not take action based on the complaint. 

Louis Lobo, president of the IFKCA unit of Udupi; Leticia Veigas, mother of Gerald; Zeena Veigas, his wife; Darwin, his cousin; and many others were present at the press meet.