Mangalore: Lineman's Death - MESCOM Suspends Section Officer
Special Report
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Jun 5: Extensive protest by IFKCA on the controversy surrounding the death of MESCOM lineman Gerald Veigas on May 13 and the efforts of Mangalore Unit of International Federation of Karnataka Christian Association (IFKCA) has had its impact, as section officer of MESCOM Gurumurthy has been suspended by authorities.
It may be recalled that daijiworld.com had published a special report last weekend on the efforts of MESCOM officials to shield the said officer who had violated rules and regulations and failed to follow safety of the lineman on duty resulting in the death of Gerald Veigus. It was clearly stated that the ‘needle of suspicion’ for Gerald’s death points towards the top officials of MESCOM who had failed to suspend Gurumurthy even though there was strong evidence against him for his dereliction.
Gerald's wife and children
IFKCA had taken up the cause of the family of Gerald and had threatened to intensify its protest demanding the suspension of Gurumurthy. IFKCA had also sought the suspension of Mangalore Division Chief Executive Engineer Manjappa for his false and irresponsible statements. The efforts of the IFKCA had the desired impact forcing senior officials of MESCOM to respond positively resulting in Gurumurthy’s suspension, because it was he who had taken Gerald to work in a jurisdiction to which he did not belong to.
Gurumurthy’s suspension has vindicated the stand taken by IFKCA to spearhead and also to intensify protest demanding truth and justice for Gerald’s family. Gurumurthy’s suspension nearly 20 days after the death of Gerald is sure to embolden IFKCA and organizations like IFKCA to take up the cudgels on behalf of the poor and the voiceless.
Delegation demands further action
On Monday May 4, a delegation led by IFKCA state convener Denis D'Silva met MESCOM managing director Vijay Narasimha and demanded further action in the matter.
The delegation formed by Gerald's wife Veena Veigas, relative Darvin Lobo, parishioners, neighbours and other locals submitted a memorandum to the MD stating that suspension of Gurumurthy was not enough and that immediate action to be taken to suspend executive engineer of Mangalore 1 Division of MESCOM Manjappa also.
The memorandum demanded free education to Gerald's two children and a job to the family along with appropriate compensation on sympathy grounds. "The case should be handed over to an independent body and thorough investigation should be done," the memorandum stated.
Accepting the memorandum, Narasimha said that an inquiry has been ordered into the matter, and promised that based on the inquiry report, suitable action would be taken against the erring officials.
The delegation also urged him not to delay the report and initiate action at the earliest. They warned of intense protest in association with other organizations if their demands were not met.
Gerald’s Family in Need of Help
Gerald Veigas (38), a lineman with MESCOM who was electrocuted while working on a faulty repair on May 13 at Vamanjoor has left his family and dependent in a dismal state. He was the sole bread earner of the family with 12 dependents that include 2 school-going children aged 7 and 5 and wife and also an aged mother.
Getting compensation for the family will take its own time and the family needs immediate help to sustain and also to provide education to the young children. Gerald had a dream of having his own small house which was half done at the time of his death. Having no other alternative the family used cement sheets to make it look complete at the time of blessing the new house. However, a lot of work is still pending inside the house to make it habitable.
The family will be greatly benefitted by the generous contribution of our readers who have always rendered a helping hand to the poor, sick and the needy to rebuild their tattered lives.
Ronald Colaco, NRI businessman and philanthropist, who is also the Chairman of IFKCA, has contributed Rs 1 lac to help the family. This money will form as the corpus fund to enable the upbringing and education of Gerald’s children. Other contributions will also be deposited in the same account to ensure that the money received is utilized properly.
Those who wish to help the family of Gerlad Veigas may send their contributions to
Zeena Veigas
Syndicate Bank, Jokatte Branch.
Code: SYNB0000191
A/c No: 01912200057954
Customer ID: 36002665
Address:
3-204, Asma Complex
Jokatte
Mangalore – 564 173.
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