40 died of electrocution in Assam this financial year: APDCL data

By Prasenjit Deb
GUWAHATI: As many as 40 people have died due to electrocution in the state this financial year (FY) 2022-2023, said the Assam Power Distribution Corporation Limited (APDCL) records.
The major causes that led to electrocution deaths were short circuits, snapping of live wires during floods and waterlogging, and poorly installed electricity poles.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), in the last financial year 2021-22, the state had recorded 91 cases of electrocution. Out of which, 89 people had died and four were reported to be injured.
Last Tuesday, a minor boy died of electrocution, while another sustained injuries when they came in contact with a snapped stay wire from an electric pole in Assam's Demow.
Earlier on September 5, at least four members of a family, including a four-year-old boy, were electrocuted to death at Bilaipur village in Hailakandi district of Assam.
In 2019, an employee of Assam state power department, Robin Das, died while carrying out repair work on an electric pole in Biswanath district of Assam. The shocking video of the incident had gone viral where Das's head got severed from his body after coming in contact with a live wire. From time to time, several allegations have been raised against the power department that it does not use adequate safety measures while carrying out maintenance and repair works.
However, in many cases, faulty electric wiring has also caused major damages in the state.
An APDCL source told TOI that cases of electrocution occur due to the lackadaisical attitude of the ground staff. "Since the department is held responsible for the incidents of electrocution, a compensation of Rs 4 lakh is provided to the kin of the deceased," said the source.
In 2017, the state government constituted a one-man inquiry commission, headed by Justice (Retd) HN Sarma, retired judge of Gauhati High Court, to inquire into the circumstances leading to the deaths of persons due to electrocution in the state since April 1, 2017.
After conducting ground surveys across the state, the commission had recommended several measures to the state's electricity department to reduce the risk of such incidents.