Members of the CPI(M) staging a protest demanding strict action against the Viswanadh Sports Club (VSC) in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: V. RAJU

An eight-year-old boy accidentally drowned at the water park in the Viswanadh Sports Club (VSC) at Akkayyapalem, under the IV Town Police Station limits, on Monday.

The incident came to light after the police registered a case on Tuesday. The victim was identified as Vasupalli Rishith Sai Shankar (8) from Murali Nagar, a Class II student.

As per the police, the boy, along with his two cousins, was playing in the pool when he accidentally drowned. The staff rushed him to the hospital, but the doctors declared him ‘brought dead’. The body was then sent to King George Hospital (KGH) for postmortem.

MLA lashes out at VSC management

Visakhapatnam North MLA P. Vishnu Kumar Raju of the BJP has lashed out at VSC management, alleging that it failed to take safety measures at the adventure sports centre. “What were the security personnel doing? Have they gone blind while the kid was drowning?” Mr. Raju lamented.

The MLA on Tuesday consoled the boy’s parents who they were waiting to collect the body at KGH.

Mr. Raju alleged that VSC was responsible for the boy’s death and called it a “murder due to negligence”. He has also alleged that it was not the first time that he heard about children getting injured at VSC.

“Last year, my granddaughter went go-karting in the club. When she fell off during the ride, she was bedridden for about 45 days. There was no safety belt, and the helmet had also fallen off. There were several incidents of children injuring their limbs and falling unconscious,” he said.

The MLA added, “Earlier, I asked the members of the management about the safety precautions being taken at VMC. They informed me that all measures were followed perfectly. But I have been receiving information about children getting injured.”

Mr. Raju also suspected whether the management has all the certifications and permissions required for adventure activities like go-karting, water world, snow world, trampoline, and other activities.

“I have already asked the District Collector to shut down the VSC as of now since it is summer when many children are likely to visit there,” he said.

“I have also informed about the incident to the Port authorities, who have expressed shock and promised to enquire,” he said.

Corporator demands ex gratia

CPI(M) corporator B. Ganga Rao also demanded that the government ensure the Port takes back the land from VSC and cancels the lease. He also demanded that the VSC provide ₹1 crore ex gratia to the boy’s parents.

Members of the CPI(M) staged a protest in front of the facility demanding the government take a strict action against VSC.

Meanwhile, Gondu Sitaram, a member of the AP State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR), has ordered the officials concerned to submit a report on the incident.