The students were trying to erect the iron flagpole for the two-day Pykka (Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan) and Dasara sports meet. Karthik (15), a class 9 student at Holekoppa Government High School, was killed on the spot. A class 10 student, Ranjan (16), and a villager Anil (33) — who were standing close to Karthik, suffered critical injuries.
The school's physical education teacher and taluk sports officer, Keshavmurthy (50), who witnessed the incident at close quarters, suffered a heart attack. All the three were rushed to Manipal Hospital.
The deceased was the only son of his parents who became inconsolable after learning about the incident. Ranjan was staying with a relative to pursue his studies. The sports meet was cancelled following the incident.
Primary Education Minister Kimmane Ratnakar and MLA?D?N?Jeevaraj visited the spot and the victim's family. He announced an immediate compensation of Rs 50,000 to the victim's kin.
Meanwhile, Minister for Youth Services and Sports Abhaychandra Jain, who is also Chikmagalur district in-charge minister, visited the KMC?Hospital in Manipal.
Quoting doctors, Jain said Ranjan and Anil were critical but Keshavmurthy was out of danger. He termed the incident “most tragic” and announced that the government would bear the medical expenses of the three injured.
Jain also said he would hold talks with the chief minister and primary education minister on taking steps to shift high-tension wires passing through schools and playgrounds in the State.
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