Tripura, 30 June: A daily wage worker lost his life after being electrocuted while carrying out maintenance work on an ST power line in Totabari under Kalyanpur Police Station, triggering outrage among local residents and fellow workers over alleged negligence.
The deceased has been identified as Bidhu Kapali, a resident of Praharmura in Khowai district. According to local sources, he was engaged as a daily wage worker under contractor Samiran Debnath for maintenance work on the electricity distribution line.
Allegations have surfaced that power was restored to the line while maintenance work was still in progress, without adequately informing the workers on site. Bidhu Kapali reportedly came into contact with the live line and suffered a severe electric shock.
His co-workers immediately rushed him to Teliamura Sub-Divisional Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
The tragic incident has sparked widespread anger in the area, with locals and workers questioning how electricity could have been restored while personnel were still working on the line. They have raised concerns over whether mandatory safety procedures, including proper isolation of the power supply and communication protocols, were followed before the work began.
Residents are demanding a fair and impartial investigation to determine whether there was any negligence on the part of the electricity department or those responsible for supervising the maintenance work. They have also called for strict action against anyone found responsible.
In addition, locals have urged the authorities to provide adequate compensation to the bereaved family and offer employment to one of the deceased worker’s family members.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns over workplace safety for contractual and daily wage workers involved in high-risk electrical maintenance, with many calling for stricter enforcement of safety protocols to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the circumstances leading to the incident. The exact cause of the electrocution will be determined through the ongoing investigation.
