Karnataka: Four women washed away in Koppal stream

KOPPAL: In the second such incident in a month, four women returning from agricultural work were washed away in the currents of a stream in the district on Saturday night and their bodies were recovered on Sunday.
Rekha Siddayya Policepatil, 40, Girija Kallanagouda Policepatil, 28, Bhuvaneshwari Shantaveerayya Policepatil, 32, and Veena Basavaraj Policepatil, 22, were washed away at Sankanur village in Yelburga taluk. Two cops were washed away at Tondihal on the same stream less than a month ago.
Minister Halappa Achar faces people's ire
Fire and emergency services personnel launched a search for the missing women on Saturday night, but the heavy rain prompted them to stop the operation. The search resumed in the morning. Yelburga MLA and minister Halappa Achar, who visited the spot, had to face of the ire of villagers for not constructing a bridge over the stream. The minister said proposals for the bridges at Sankanur and Tondihal had been sent to the government. "Once they get approved, construction will start in 2-3 months," he said.
Achar also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to each victim's family.
Koppal MP Karadi Sanganna, deputy commissioner M Sundaresh Babu, superintendent of police Arunangshu Giri and Yelburga tahsildar Srishail Talwar visited the spot.