Uncovered Abandoned Well in Rajshahi Claims Livestock as Safety Concerns Mount Over Negligence
Photo Collected
A buffalo died on Saturday after falling into an abandoned deep-tube well shaft in Shahnapara village, located in the Narsinghar mouza of Godagari, Rajshahi. The animal fell approximately 80 feet into the uncovered excavation, prompting an emergency response from local fire services. Rescue teams arrived at the scene but declared the operation abandoned by 8:00 p.m. after confirming the buffalo had perished.
The incident has highlighted growing public concern over the negligent abandonment of open wells by the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA). Local residents argue that leaving such deep excavations exposed poses a severe hazard to both livestock and the community. This incident follows a tragic event on December 10, when a two-year-old child named Sajid fell into an abandoned well in Tanore upazila. Despite a 32-hour rescue operation, the child was recovered unconscious and later declared dead at a local hospital.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Bikash Kha, the owner of the deceased buffalo, stated that the animal was a vital economic asset for his family of eight, which includes an elderly relative with a disability. He had purchased the pair of buffaloes two years ago for 230,000 taka, partially funded by a 150,000 taka loan that remains unpaid. According to neighbors, the site was left open after a drilling attempt initiated by local farmers with the permission of the BMDA failed to proceed to full tube-well installation.
The contractor responsible for the project, Bashir Uddin, acknowledged the drilling attempt but claimed the work stalled due to delays in documentation by the landowner. He stated that the hole was meant to be temporary, yet it remained unfilled for an extended period. Neighbors criticized this justification, noting that if the contractors were unable to secure the site, they should have sought assistance from the community to fill the hole rather than leaving it as a death trap.
বিজ্ঞাপন
BMDA Kakonhat Zone Assistant Engineer Habibul Ahsan stated that the project was supposed to have been backfilled. He indicated that he would investigate why the safety protocols were bypassed and the site left in such a dangerous condition. Meanwhile, the Godagari fire service in-charge, Rafiquzzaman, noted that while the carcass could have been retrieved by flooding the hole with water, the owner opted against the recovery once the animal’s death was confirmed.
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