Doomdooma: A 55-year-old man was electrocuted to death after coming into contact with an exposed live electric wire at No. 11 Line of Khowang Tea Estate at Talap in Assam’s Tinsukia district on Saturday.
The deceased, identified as Sonicharua Gosai, reportedly came into contact with the live wire that was lying exposed at the incident site.
Regional leaders of the All Tea Tribes Students’ Association (ATTSA) alleged that the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) was solely responsible for the incident, claiming that repeated memoranda had been submitted seeking replacement of the exposed wire with insulated cable, but no action was taken.
The incident triggered widespread anger among residents of the tea garden, with locals alleging that negligence on the part of the electricity department led to the fatal accident. The exposed live wire, they said, posed a serious threat to residents in the area.
The regional ATTSA leaders demanded Rs 20 lakh in compensation for the bereaved family and warned of a highway blockade if the demand was not met immediately.
“APDCL is solely responsible for this unfortunate incident. We have submitted memoranda several times seeking replacement of the open wire with cable, but our pleas have not been heeded,” the ATTSA leaders said.
Following the incident, personnel from Talap Police Outpost reached the spot immediately and recovered the body. The body was subsequently sent to Tinsukia Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem examination.
Police have also initiated an investigation into the circumstances leading to the electrocution.
The incident has once again raised concerns over the safety of exposed electrical lines in tea garden areas and the alleged failure to address complaints regarding hazardous power infrastructure.
The ATTSA further warned that if the compensation demand was not fulfilled, its members would be compelled to take the deceased’s body to the Talap Bypass and block the highway, escalating the protest over the alleged negligence.