Ujjain vendors protest after deadly wall collapse

On Friday night, a tragic incident occurred in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, when the wall of the Government Maharajwada School, which was undergoing renovations, collapsed. This unfortunate event resulted in the deaths of two vendors, including 27-year-old Ajay Yogi, and left four others injured. The site of the collapse is located near the Mahakaleshwar Temple, an area currently being developed into a heritage hotel as part of a beautification project. Following the accident, local authorities responded promptly, rescuing individuals trapped under the debris and transporting the injured to nearby hospitals. One of the injured, a minor girl, was reported to be in critical condition and was referred to a hospital in Indore for further treatment. In the aftermath of the incident, family members of the deceased vendors staged protests demanding compensation of Rs 50 lakh and a compassionate appointment for a family member. The protests took place on Saturday afternoon, blocking roads and drawing attention to their plight. Local administration officials began removing temporary encroachments from the accident site, which included flower vendors and garland sellers, as part of the ongoing efforts to manage the area. The incident has raised concerns about safety measures during construction and renovation projects, particularly in busy areas adjacent to significant landmarks. The local community is now calling for accountability and better oversight to prevent such tragedies in the future. As investigations continue, the focus remains on providing support to the affected families and ensuring that similar incidents do not occur again.