Milap Thela, a resident of Khairbhadi village under Tukula gram panchayat of Khariar block, died on the way to his farmland when he came in contact of a live electric wire lying on ground on Friday.
The villagers reported the incident to the electricity department and departmental personnel along with police arrived at the scene and ascertained that the accident occurred due to the live wire that had fallen from the electric pole.
Family members of Milap were assured of compensation by officials. The Sarpanch of Tulkula panchayat provided an assistance of Rs 2,000 to the deceased’s family under the Harishchandra Yojana. Officials also promised to provide financial support from the Red Cross.Milap has two small children and wife.People are aggrieved that the electricity department did not pay compensation suo motu in earlier such cases.
"The department has not paid compensation to the family members of one Bhupendra Majhi of Kirkita village under Khariar block who died two years ago coming in contact of a live wire on road in spite of direction from the NHRC. There is no proper maintenance of wires, which are very old. Such incidents are occurring due to lack of maintenance and vigilance.
This is criminal negligence on the part of electricity department. It is a clear case of violation of human rights of the deceased. Therefore, the concerned families should be compensated immediately," said Fakira Jagat of Tulla.