Farmer Dies After Coming in Contact with Live Electric Fence in Field; Ranjay Rai Had Gone to Cut Grass for Cattle, Police Investigating
Maner (Patna): A tragic accident occurred in a village under Maner police station area of Patna district on Friday, where 41-year-old farmer Ranjoy Rai died after being electrocuted. According to reports, he had gone to cut grass from a field for his cattle when he came into contact with a live electric wire installed around the field. The electric shock was so severe that he died on the spot. The incident has plunged the entire area into mourning. After receiving information, Maner police reached the spot, took the body into custody, sent it for post-mortem examination, and started an investigation.
Accident Occurred While Cutting Grass
According to villagers, Ranjoy Rai had left home in the morning as usual to collect green fodder for his cattle. While cutting grass in the field, his hand or foot accidentally touched a wire carrying electric current. As soon as he came in contact with the wire, he received a powerful electric shock and collapsed on the spot.
People nearby rushed to help after seeing him lying on the ground, but initially no one dared to approach him because the wire was still live. Later, the electricity supply was somehow disconnected and villagers separated him from the wire. He was then rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Medical officials said that the shock was so severe that he had died at the scene itself.
Electric Current Allegedly Used to Protect Crops
Preliminary investigation suggests that the field owner had installed iron wires around the field to protect crops from stray animals and wild animals. It is alleged that electric current was illegally supplied through those wires.
Villagers said that such incidents of electrified fencing have occurred before as well, but due to lack of strict administrative action, people continue to use such dangerous methods.
Family Devastated by the Loss
As soon as the news of Ranjoy Rai’s death reached home, his family was devastated. His wife and children were inconsolable. Family members said that Ranjoy was the main earning member of the household, and his untimely death has pushed the family into financial uncertainty.
Villagers described him as a hardworking and friendly person who supported his family through farming. No one had imagined that going to cut grass for cattle would become his final journey.
Police Begin Investigation
After receiving information, Maner police reached the spot, inspected the scene, collected evidence, and seized the electrified wire. The body was sent for post-mortem examination and statements of family members were recorded.
Police officials said that prima facie the case appears to be related to an electrified fence installed for crop protection. Further action will be taken on the basis of the post-mortem report and technical investigation. If it is proved that electricity was deliberately supplied illegally, strict legal action will be taken against the responsible person under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Electricity Act.
Villagers Demand Strict Action
The incident has triggered anger among local residents. Villagers have demanded strict action against the guilty person, saying that using live electric fencing amounts to playing with human lives.
They also urged the administration to launch awareness campaigns in villages and conduct regular inspections against illegal electrification of fields.
Similar Incidents Reported Earlier
Cases of deaths caused by live electric fencing around fields have been reported from various districts of Bihar from time to time. Such fences, often installed to stop wild animals, have repeatedly proved fatal for humans and livestock alike.
Experts say that farmers should use safer alternatives such as solar fencing, strong physical barriers, or barbed-wire fencing instead of live electric current, which is both illegal and extremely dangerous.
Administration Appeals to Farmers
Police and electricity department officials have appealed to people not to illegally pass electric current through fencing wires for crop protection. They urged citizens to immediately inform authorities if they notice such arrangements so that accidents can be prevented in time.
For now, the police investigation is underway. Further legal action will be taken after the post-mortem report is received. Meanwhile, the death of Ranjoy Rai has left the entire village in mourning, and his family is demanding justice.
The tragedy once again raises a serious question: how long will illegal and dangerous methods of crop protection continue to claim innocent lives?
