Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Sep 15: The immersion ceremony of the idol of lord Ganesha organized at Kanasawadi (Madhure) in Doddaballapur taluk at midnight on Saturday September 13 turned into a nightmare after five devotees got electrocuted, while several others were injured, after coming into contact with high tension cables passing above.
The group was returning after immersing Ganesha idol.
The deceased have been identified as Nagesh (26), Raju (23) and Darshan (25), all from Kanasawadi, Arun (22) and Anjan (25) from neighbouring Marasandra. Three others Nikhit, Chandan and Hampesh, suffered serious injuries and they were shifted to a hospital in the city for advanced treatment.
The group of devotees, after taking out the procession of the idol that was seated in an elaborately decorated palanquin placed in a trailer attached to a tractor, had immersed the idol at Kunte near Kanasawadi. About 20 youth were returning in the same tractor when the metal aureole placed atop the trailer to provide a grand backdrop for Ganesha idol came in contact with 11 KV high tension cables passing above. While several in the back of the tractor jumped out as soon as they suffered electric shocks and survived with minor or major injuries, those seated in front died on the spot.
Alleging negligence on the part of staff of Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) in allowing these power cables to dangle low loosely, villagers held protest in front of the local Bescom office.
Timmanna, joint engineer of Kanasawadi division of Bescom was suspended for negligence relating to the incident, chief engineer of Bescom said. Bescom officials have also promised to pay a compensation of two lac rupees to each of the families of the deceased.
Former MLA, Narasimha Swamy, announced Rs 25,000 to each of the bereaved families. MP Veerappa Moily said that he would bring this to the notice of the chief minister, adding that an impartial investigation will be held on the incident and the erring persons will be punished.
Many eyewitnesses said that Bescom has placed electric poles and hung electric cables haphazardly. In the agricultural fields at many places, power cables were hanging very close to the ground, endangering lives and property.
They alleged that the earlier complaints on this front have been overlooked by Bescom officials.