Two prisoners of the Sundargarh Jail died due to lightning on Monday afternoon, when they were returning from the farming field inside the jail premises. As they were critically injured, they were rushed to the Sundargarh District Headquarters Hospital, but were declared brought dead there.
Sources said that as per the normal practice, on Monday afternoon, about eight prisoners of the Sundargarh Jail with some jail staffs were taken to the farming field, located in jail premises, where they were engaged in agricultural work. After their work was over at about 4.20 pm, the workers were returning from their work, when slight drizzling started.
Since it was not far off, they were walking down to the jail building, but on their way suddenly lightning struck at least two of them.
The two deceased were identified as Abhiram Soreng (33) and Manoj Bagle (27). Sources said, Abhiram was an accused in a rape case and had been convicted for ten years rigorous imprisonment. Abhiram, a native of Kendupada under Sundargarh town police station, had been undergoing jail term since May 23, 2011.
Similarly, Manoj Bagle was accused in a murder case and was awarded life imprisonment. Manoj Bagle was a native of Katra village under the Sundargarh Sadar police station.