A fogging drive to control mosquitoes in Shyaurampur village under Khanpur police station limits turned tragic on Sunday evening when a labourer involved in the spraying died under suspicious circumstances. Villagers have alleged that expired chemicals were used during the operation, triggering protests and prompting an official probe.
The deceased has been identified as Raju, a local labourer who, along with another man, Sukhveer alias Sukhna, was hired by the village head’s husband Amit Kumar to carry out the fogging. The two reportedly completed the spraying by afternoon and later went to a nearby liquor shop to consume alcohol.
Later in the evening, both men were found lying in a nearby field in a deteriorating condition. They were rushed to a local hospital where doctors declared Raju dead on arrival. Sukhveer was referred to a higher medical centre in critical condition.
Soon after the news of Raju’s death spread, his family members and other villagers gathered at the site and accused the village administration of using expired mosquito repellent chemicals. They claimed that the toxic exposure, combined with alcohol, may have caused the death. An angry crowd created a ruckus in the village, demanding action.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate Vijay Pratap Singh and Circle Officer Prakhar Pandey reached the village to calm the situation. They assured the villagers of a fair investigation and sent the body for postmortem examination.
Amit Kumar, husband of the village pradhan, denied all allegations. “The fogging chemical was purchased legally and is not expired. I have the purchase bill to prove it. The accusations are baseless,” he said.
CO Syana Prakhar Pandey stated, “Preliminary information suggests the labourers consumed alcohol after spraying. The death may have resulted from a reaction between the fogging chemical and the alcohol. However, the exact cause will be known after the postmortem. No formal complaint has been filed yet, but further action will be taken based on the investigation.”
The incident has raised questions about safety protocols in rural fogging operations and whether proper checks are made before spraying chemicals in villages.
