8-year-old boy drowns in Bharatmala project trench in Assam's Cachar, locals allege safety lapses

An eight-year-old boy died after drowning in a deep trench excavated under the Bharatmala highway project in Assam's Cachar district on July 11, with local residents alleging negligence and inadequate safety measures at the construction site.
 

The incident occurred at Tarinipur Part-I under Katigorah Police Station. The deceased was identified as Kamil Hussain Mazumdar, son of Taj Uddin Mazumdar.
 

According to local sources, Kamil left his home at around 12 pm but did not return. Concerned family members, along with local residents, launched a search operation. At around 2 pm, the child was found submerged in a water-filled trench dug for the Bharatmala project.
 

He was immediately rushed for medical treatment, where doctors declared him dead.
 

The incident has triggered anger among local residents, who alleged that the deep trenches dug along the roadside for the highway project were left without barricades, railings or warning signs, posing a serious threat to public safety.
 

Villagers claimed that the water-filled trenches had become death traps and alleged that several cattle and other domestic animals had previously died after falling into them. They further alleged that despite repeatedly informing the concerned authorities about the safety risks, no preventive measures had been taken.
 

The tragedy has sparked demands for an inquiry into the incident and accountability for those responsible for failing to ensure safety at the construction site.
 

Residents have also urged the authorities to immediately install barricades, warning signs and other necessary safety measures around the excavation sites to prevent similar incidents in the future.