Baripada: Tension flared up in Baisinga area in Mayurbhanj district Sunday following the electrocution of a man and his son, while his other son was critically hurt in the incident. Locals staged a road blockade, demanding compensation to the bereaved family.
The deceased were identified as Baishnav Patra (55) and his eldest son Bapun (18) of Machhapada. Sipun (16) was critically injured.
Baishnav and his sons had gone to their farmland in the afternoon to collect bitter gourds. They had laid GI wires around the fence so as to prevent the entry of cattle into the farm. An 11 KV electric wire passed over the farmland. Baishnav and his sons were busy collecting bitter gourds when the high tension wires snapped and fell on the GI-supported fence.
The wet land was charged after fall of the wires, which led to the electrocution. Following the incident, people of the village and neighbouring villages rushed to the place. The man and his sons were rushed to the nearby hospital where two of them were declared brought dead. Bapun was taken to Balasore district headquarters hospital and subsequently shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital.
Angry over the incident, locals blocked NH-18 at Baisinga and burned tyres, keeping the bodies on the road.
Holding the electricity supply agency responsible for the tragedy, the agitators demanded compensation to the bereaved family.
Betanati SDPO Dhiren Nanda, IIC Minati Biswal and Baisinga IIC Ramakanta Mudulli rushed to the spot and tried to pacify the mob.
Later, Betanati tehsildar Kunar Charan Marandi visited the spot and held talks with protestors. A large number of buses, trucks and other vehicles were stranded on both sides of the road for several hours. PNN