Chandrapur: Four migrant labourers from Chandrapur district were killed and 27 others injured after the vehicle carrying them met with an accident near Ramagundam in Telangana on Wednesday evening.The victims had travelled to the neighbouring state for seasonal paddy transplantation work, a yearly migration driven by limited employment opportunities in their native villages.The deceased were identified as Atul Vasudev Sonule, 45, Archana Janardhan Sonule, 40, Ranjana Prabhakar Shende, 50, and Prabha Sitaram Mohurle, 56, all residents of Pawana Chak village in Sindewahi tehsil. Ranjana’s identity was established later after she was initially listed as unidentified.According to preliminary information, the labourers were returning to their accommodation after finishing work in the fields when the vehicle crashed around 6.30pm. Four occupants died on the spot, while 27 others sustained injuries.The injured were rushed to a hospital in Ramagundam, where they are undergoing treatment. Some are stated to be in a critical condition.Hundreds of labourers from Chandrapur and neighbouring Gadchiroli migrate to Telangana every year during the farming season in search of work. The accident has once again highlighted the dependence of many rural families on seasonal migrant labour for their livelihood.The bodies of the deceased were brought back to Pawana Chak village on Friday, where the last rites were performed.
