Two children electrocuted near abandoned water plant in Tamil Nadu
Two children were electrocuted while playing near an abandoned water purification plant in Tamil Nadu's Kamuthi, police said on Thursday.
The incident occurred on Wednesday when siblings Niraimathi, 9, and Balapranav, 6, from Achangulam came into contact with an electrically charged metal structure at the defunct facility.
Police suspect that power leakage from a severed cable inside the plant caused the metal enclosure to become electrically charged.
The potable water facility had remained non-operational for more than six years, but its electricity connection had not been disconnected, police said.
Following the deaths, Kamuthi Block Development Officer Chandrasekaran suspended Panchayat Secretary K Rasu for alleged negligence in maintaining the facility.
The deaths sparked protests by the children's parents and relatives, who blocked a road in Kamuthi and demanded strict action against those responsible. They also sought legal action against electricity board officials for allegedly failing to disconnect the power supply.
Abiramam police intervened and assured the protesters that appropriate cases would be registered, following which the protest was withdrawn.
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay condoled the deaths and announced a solatium of Rs 6 lakh, with Rs 3 lakh each for the two children, from the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund. (with inputs from PTI)
