One person died and another sustained burn injuries when a flag hoisting pole came in contact with a high tension 11 KV electric wire on Saturday evening here.

The incident took place at the DNK parade ground where the local administration conducted the sub-divisional level Republic Day mceremony. The local Tehsildar who was the president of Republic Day ceremony unfurled the national flag and took the guard of hounour.

However, one Kalu Harijan (37), a laborer, while lowering the flag with support of another suddenly came in contact with dangling 11 KV live wire. Both sustained critical injury and were shifted to the CHC, Umarkote, where the doctors declared Harijan as brought dead. On being informed, the police reached the spot, recovered the body and sent it for autopsy. Local denizens blamed the administration for the mishap and alleged there was a lapse on the part of the local administration for which due clearance was not taken from the Southco while installing the flag pole below a dangling 11 KV live wire in the parade ground.

“No interest was shown to shift the electric pole from the parade ground prior to the function where thousands of people congregate every year.  Further due formalities were not adhered to by the officials as per the Flag Code,” said Muna Padhy a local denizen.

It is a astonishing how a labourer in the absence  of any officials on the spot was engaged to lower the national flag which contravenes  the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, said a local lawyer.

Meanwhile, local MLA Subash Gond expressed condolences to the bereaved family and assured to do the needful.