Three students hurt, roof sheets of hostel blown away in Puttur

Mangalore Today News Network

Puttur, July 31, 2019: Three children were injured when the roof sheets of Devaraj Urs Backward Classes Post-matriculation Hostel at Urlandi on Balnadu road in town were blown away due to strong winds.

There were 70 students in the hostel. Most loose roof sheets of the hostel were blown away like paper in the strong wind. Many saved themselves by taking shelter under the cots. The roof sheets fell on three students.

The injured are Manish (16), a native of Sakleshpur and a I PU student of Kombettu PU College; Kanakaraj (19), a native of Koppal and a student of the Bettampady First Grade College; and Rakesh (18), a native of Sakleshpur and a student of Vivekananda Degree College.

They have been admitted to the Government Hospital in Puttur. The other 67 students, however, had a miraculous escape. The clothes of the students too have been destroyed.

Puttur Assistant Commissioner H K Krishnamurthy rushed to the spot and helped in rushing the injured children to the hospital. Arrangements have been made for the accommodation of the children at retired ASI Chinnappa Gowda’s house at Sudana Residential School.

The post-matriculation hostel has been functioning from the rented building for the last six years. A sum of Rs 20,000 is paid as rent per month. The asbestos sheets had flown 100 metres away from the spot.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the injured students at the hostel, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Dr Selvamani R said, “Temporary arrangement will be made to accommodate students at Kombettu Dravida Brahmanara Vasathi Nilaya. Sites have been earmarked for the hostel building.”

As the clothes are damaged, measures will be taken to supply clothes to the students.

Puttur Taluk Panchayat president Radhakrishna Borkar said about 20 cents of land has been ear marked.