The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Saturday sought for an Action Taken Report (ATR) from the Baleswar Collector, Superintendent of Police and Principal Secretary, Energy, Government of Odisha, on electrocution deaths and injury during the last week’s Rath Yatra held in Baleswar.
Acting on a petition filed by rights activist and lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy, the NHRC passed the order.
The order stated that in a tragic incident one Anil Kumar Sahu of Agarada village in Baleswar district had died on July 1, on account of electrocution during Rath Yatra celebration at Gudikhala Mutt under Basta police limits of the district.
It further metioned that the mishap happened when the residents of Khudial village were pulling a chariot to celebrate the Rath Yatra and metallic part of the chariot came in contact with an 11kv electric wire, leaving one dead and causing critical injuries to eight others.
The complainant had alleged that the accident had happened on account of inaction, negligence and failure on part of officials of the Energy Department and district administration.
The NHRC sought a response from the authorities within four weeks.