Villagers Pull Hiriya Devi from Rubble as Anger Grows over Delayed Housing
Key Points:
- Mud house caves in at Kazimgaha village under Jamua block
- Fracture confirmed at Jamua community health centre after rescue
- Mukhiya says her name figures on the housing beneficiary list
GIRIDIH – An elderly woman has suffered a leg fracture after her crumbling mud house caved in at a village in Jamua block, leaving residents demanding immediate pucca housing for her.
The collapse took place at Kazimgaha village. The hamlet falls under Maghakala panchayat in the district.
Hiriya Devi was inside when the structure gave way. She was buried under the debris and seriously injured.
Panic spread through the village soon after. Residents rushed to the spot to help.
Moreover, CPI-ML leader Asgar Ali joined the rescue effort. Villagers cleared the rubble and pulled the woman out.
She was taken to the community health centre at Jamua without delay. Doctors confirmed a fracture in her leg during the initial examination.
However, Ali criticised the response at the hospital. He said doctors were not available on time when she arrived.
The condition of the health system stood exposed, he said. He also attacked the administration over the housing delay.
Ali argued that the accident could have been avoided. A pucca house provided in time would have prevented it, he said.
Besides, he held the government responsible for the situation. He also named the local MLA and the member of Parliament.
Schemes meant for the poor exist only on paper, he said. Their benefits have not reached eligible families in the village, according to him.
Villagers echoed that complaint after the incident. They said poor families are forced to live in dilapidated houses.
In addition, they described the danger during the monsoon months. Every moment is spent under the shadow of death, they said.
They alleged that housing had been sought repeatedly. The benefit never arrived on time, they said.
Meanwhile, the panchayat mukhiya offered an assurance. Abuzar Nomani said Hiriya Devi’s name is on the housing list.
He said he would speak to the block development officer. The aim is to secure her the Ambedkar Awas Yojana benefit.
On the other hand, villagers have placed fresh demands before the district administration. They have sought better treatment for the injured woman.
Financial assistance and an immediate pucca house have also been demanded. Residents have asked why the entitlement was withheld despite her name being listed.
The district has reported other structural accidents this year. A mother and son died when a roof collapsed at an under-construction house in July.
Rain-related damage has been recorded elsewhere in the state as well. A guard wall built with MLA funds collapsed in the first rain in Jamshedpur.
Weak rural infrastructure has drawn attention in other districts too. Villagers in Simdega continue to cross a dilapidated wooden bridge during the rains.
Heavy showers have persisted across the region this month. An orange alert was issued for ten districts in mid-July.
The weather office had earlier warned of squalls and lightning. A heavy rain warning covered several districts at the start of the month.
Protest activity has also been reported from the district recently. A 48-hour hunger strike was held in Giridih this month.
