11,000-Volt Tragedy: Electrician Killed During Transformer Repair in Motihari
A 28-year-old electrician died during transformer repairs in Motihari. Family alleges safety lapses led to the 11,000-volt fatal shock.
A routine repair job turned into a nightmare in Bihar's Motihari district when a 28-year-old electrician was electrocuted by a massive 11,000-volt current. The victim, identified as Alok Kumar, a resident of Bishunpurwa village, lost his life while working on a transformer in Bahrupiya village, falling under the jurisdiction of the Turkauliya police station.
Fatal Lapse in Safety Protocols
Alok Kumar had been summoned by the electricity department to carry out necessary repairs on the transformer. According to his wife, Neetu Kumari, the work was being performed under a pre-approved shutdown, and a Junior Engineer was present on-site to oversee the operation.
However, the family has raised serious allegations regarding the cause of the accident. Neetu Kumari claimed that the power supply was restored from the grid prematurely and without following the standard safety protocols, resulting in the fatal high-voltage shock that killed her husband instantly.
Public Outrage and Road Blockade
The tragedy sparked immediate anger among the local community and the grieving family. In a bid to demand justice and support, protesters placed Alok Kumar's body at Turkauliya Chowk on the Motihari-Areraj road. This led to a complete traffic standstill for approximately two hours, with long queues of vehicles stretching across the highway.
The protesters remained steadfast in their demands, calling for:
- Immediate financial compensation for the bereaved family.
- A government job for one of the family members to ensure their future survival.
Government Response and Compensation
As the situation escalated, senior officials rushed to the site to manage the crowd and address the grievances. Turkauliya Station House Officer (SHO) and the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of the electricity department, Rajiv Ranjan, arrived to pacify the protesters. Circle Officer Prabhat Kumar also joined the effort to assess the scene and negotiate with the family.
To resolve the deadlock, Circle Officer Prabhat Kumar assured the family that they would receive Rs 4 lakh in compensation. He further stated that additional departmental assistance would be provided in accordance with existing government regulations.
The incident has brought to light concerns over safety measures during electrical maintenance, with statements regarding the tragedy provided by SDO Rajiv Ranjan and the deceased's cousin, former MLA Rajendra Kumar Ram.