Death came down like a tonne of bricks on kids

BANGALORE: A six-year-old boy and one-and-a-half year- old girl died when a pillar of cement bricks came down crashing on them in Jnanabharathi police limits on Saturday morning.The deceased, Nagaraju and Venkatalakshmi, were children of Venkatesh and Shobha, who work as labourers.A 12-year-old boy Thayappa, who is a relative, too sustained injuries and is admitted to a hospital.DCP (West) Siddaramappa said the family belonged to Kalasipalya and had come to Papareddypalya for work.There they were living in a rented house. The house is like a shed and the cement pillar was just five-six feet away from the front door.Police said the pillar did not have a foundation. It was being used to dry clothes with a rope because construction was on hold owing to some legal dispute.On Saturday, Nagaraju, a first standard student in a government school, stayed home. He, his sister and Thayappa were playing near the pillar and their parents were inside the house. The children pulled the rope tied to the pillar and it collapsed on Nagaraju and Venkatalakshmi.The pillar broke into two pieces.The children’s parents came out upon hearing the commotion. Police rushed to the spot and admitted Thayappa to a hospital. Mayor Sharadamma visited the spot and announced a compensation of Rs 1 lakh for the bereaved couple.