Three electrocuted as live 11kV wire falls on road in Rajasthan; families stage protest

Jaipur, June 30 (IANS) Families of three people, including an uncle and his nephew, who were electrocuted after a snapped 11kV high-tension power line fell onto a road near the Bhopar River in Rajasthan’s Karauli district, have been staging a protest for the last 18 hours demanding compensation. The victims’ motorcycle came into contact with the live wire, caught fire, and all three died on the spot on Monday.

Following the incident, grieving family members refused to allow the bodies to be removed and launched a sit-in protest that has continued for over 18 hours, demanding Rs 50 lakh compensation for each victim and a government job for one member of each affected family.

According to Todabhim DSP Murari Lal Meena, the deceased have been identified as Rambabu (45), Vishnu (22), and Chaube Jatav (44), residents of Akhada village under the Balghat police station area.

The three, who worked as daily wage labourers in Hindaun, were returning home on a motorcycle on Monday evening when an 11kV electricity line snapped and fell across an unpaved road near the Bhopar River. Their motorcycle became entangled in the live wire, causing all three to suffer fatal electrocution. The motorcycle immediately caught fire, and despite frantic efforts by locals to extinguish the flames by throwing soil, the victims died on the spot.

Police said Chaube Jatav was Vishnu’s uncle, while Rambabu was their neighbour. The accident occurred at around 5 p.m. Following the incident, authorities suspended the feeder in charge of the concerned electricity department pending further investigation.

Soon after the tragedy, family members and villagers refused to allow the bodies to be shifted for post-mortem and began a sit-in protest at the spot. The demonstrators have demanded Rs 50 lakh compensation for each deceased and government employment for one family member from each affected household.

Todabhim MLA Ghanshyam Mahar and Hindaun MLA Aneet Jatav reached the protest site and extended support to the agitating families.

The protest continued through the night despite several rounds of talks led by SDM Aman Chaudhary. However, negotiations failed to yield a breakthrough as the families remained firm on their demands. MLA Ghanshyam Mahar said the protest would continue until the administration provided a written assurance regarding compensation and employment. The bodies remain at the protest site near the riverside as the agitation continues.

A heavy police force has been deployed to maintain law and order. Senior officials, including Karauli SP Murari Lal Meena, SDM Aman Chaudhary, and ASP Satendra Pal Singh, are monitoring the situation and holding discussions with the protesters.

–IANS

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