Nayagarh: A farmer was electrocuted after coming in contact with a live wire while working in his farm Wednesday morning. He was identified as Panu Bhatt of Sikharpur village under Khandapara block in this district.
The incident spread outrage in the village as angry residents blocked the main road.
Tension ran high at the after locals blocked Khandapara road here demanding compensation to the family of a farmer who died due to electrocution.
Hundreds of agitating villagers congregated on Khandapara road and staged demonstration by placing Panu’s body on the road disrupting vehicular movement on the route. The villagers also demanded Rs 10 lakh compensation for the kin of the deceased as Panu was the sole breadwinner for the family.
The agitating locals alleged that despite repeated complaints regarding the partially uprooted electric pole and wires hanging from it, the electric department did not take any steps for its repair.
Protesting the dereliction in duties by the officials, the protestors also burnt tyres on the road to mark their agitation.
Meanwhile, Khandapara police and local Tehsildar have rushed to the spot to pacify the mob. However, no officials from electric department were available to comment on the issue.
Normal life was severely affected as many vehicles and passengers were left stranded on the Nayagarh-Khandapara for hours together.
“The wires have become old and often snap and fall in the farmlands. Moreover, the electric poles are also on the verge of collapse, but no steps are being taken to change them, despite repeated complaints,” a local said.
The agitators relented after the police and senior officials assured of compensation and replacement of the old electric poles. A case of unnatural death was registered and the body was sent for autopsy.
