Odisha farmer electrocuted by 11 KV live wire in farmland

A farmer lost his life after coming in contact with a high-voltage (11 KV) electric wire, as the live wire snapped and fell on him, while he was reaping the produce in a paddy field at Baligaon-Narasinghpur village of Ward No-12 in Bhadrak district, on Friday.

According to sources, the deceased identified as Pramod Das was harvesting crops when he was fatally electrocuted in the farmland. The incident later sparked a major fire that engulfed around two acres of the agricultural field and reduced the crops to ashes.

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In the aftermath, local villagers launched a protest, obstructing the road in front of the local electricity department office. The incensed protesters demanded compensation for both the deceased farmer's family and the damaged cropland.

Irate locals protested by burning tyres on the main road connecting important locations. The agitation was underway till the time when this report was filed.

Views of the officials concerned were not received in this regard.

“Pramod was aged around 25 years and he was the lone earning member in his family. Adequate compensation should be given to the family,” a resident Biswanath Das said.

“The live wire was hanging down for nearly two years and despite bringing it to the knowledge of the electricity department officials, no step was taken at their end. Previously, such incidents have also occurred in which two heaps of harvested crops were gutted. The Department is entirely responsible for this fatal mishap,” another local resident Chintamani Sahoo expressed.

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“The 11 KV wire snapped on him (Pramod) and he got electrocuted leading to his untimely death,” an eyewitness Susanta Sahoo stated.

Reports have emerged highlighting the community's frustration over the electrical safety standards in the region, often cited as a recurring concern. Such tragedies underscore the urgent need for addressing infrastructure issues in rural Odisha, as they have far-reaching implications for the safety and livelihood of farmers.

Reported By: Trilochan Sahu