System failure behind 11 deaths?:Residents of 40 villages perform immersion every year, yet police patwaris were absent; tractor driver did not even have license

After 11 people lost their lives when a tractor-trolley overturned in a pond at Jamli Khurd village in Khandwa, serious questions have emerged. Was it an accident, or the result of administrative negligence and indifference towards public safety? To take stock of the situation, Dainik Bhaskar team reached the spot and found that no police force was deployed at the pond, even though people from 30–40 villages gather there for idol immersion. The village kotwar was also absent, and the tractor driver who entered the water did not even have a valid licence. No Police presence at immersion site Every year, devotees from 30-40 surrounding villages come to the Jamli Khurd pond for idol immersion. Despite this, no security personnel were stationed at the site on Dussehra. Survivors and villagers say that if police or a watchman had been deployed, the tractor-trolley would not have entered deep water. This year, for the first time in decades, no official presence was seen. Now learn about those responsible for this incident… Road built in 4 hours for CM’s visit The negligence became more apparent the next day. On Friday, October 3, the bodies of the deceased reached the village. Heavy police force was deployed only after news arrived that the Chief Minister would meet the families. Since there was no proper road to the village, four dumpers and a JCB were rushed in. In just four hours, a gravel track was laid on the narrow, pothole-ridden, muddy pathway for the CM’s convoy. Villagers say that the police, which should have been guarding the pond on immersion day, was instead busy preparing for the Chief Minister’s visit after the incident. Driver without licence held responsible Eyewitnesses and survivors blame the tractor driver, Deepak, as the first responsible person. They say he ignored warnings not to drive into deep water and even increased speed near the pond, leading to the overturning. Deepak fled after the incident and was caught the next day from his uncle’s village, Arud. Deepak’s uncle, Gangaram, claimed the 25-year-old had no licence and had only driven the family tractor for farming over the past few years. He alleged that Deepak was forced to drive the vehicle after the original tractor developed a puncture. Kotwar’s presence disputed Aakash, a young villager who jumped into the pond and saved 15 people, said lives could have been saved had police or the kotwar been on duty. Villagers confirmed that in previous years police or watchmen were present at the site, but not this time. Kotwar Lokendra Bare, however, claimed he was on duty and tried to stop the tractor driver. Villagers disputed this, saying he arrived only after the accident. Police cite staff shortage Pandhana TI Dilip Devda declined to comment on camera but admitted off-camera that the police station had only 8-9 staff to cover 48 villages. Khandwa SP said police were deployed at larger locations, while smaller places were managed by Home Guards. The SP also described the tractor-trolley journey as a family immersion trip rather than an illegal passenger ride. Collector’s remark draws criticism Khandwa Collector said it was impractical to barricade every pond in the district, as they exist in almost every village. He added that police were busy at another incident in Pandhana the same day where a DJ vehicle had run over people. The Collector claimed the tractor driver was a little drunk and acted in overconfidence. Incident raising tough questions The deaths of 11 villagers in Jamli Khurd have highlighted administrative apathy and inadequate safety arrangements at mass gatherings. The incident has also exposed the urgent need for enforcing rules on unlicensed driving, ensuring police deployment at immersion sites, and improving rural infrastructure to prevent similar incidents in the future.