Painful Accident in Saharsa: Woman Dies of Electrocution in Dhaubali Purvi Panchayat of Patarghat; Life Lost Due to Illegally Released Current in Field, Wave of Mourning
Saharsa/Patarghat (Bihar): A deeply tragic and heart-wrenching piece of news is emerging from Dhaubali Purvi Panchayat under the Patarghat block of Bihar's Saharsa district. Due to continuous negligence and the oversight of safety standards in the district, yet another innocent woman has lost her life. On Saturday morning in Dhaubali Purvi Panchayat, 40-year-old Gita Devi, who was returning from the fields carrying cattle fodder (grass), died a tragic death after coming into contact with a lethal electric current intentionally released in a field.
According to a detailed report received from the 'Hindustan' correspondent, chaos has engulfed the entire region following this heart-wrenching incident, and intense anger is brewing among the villagers. Gita Devi was returning home from the fields along with another female companion carrying cattle fodder on their heads when this horrifying accident occurred en route. Let us explore the complete background of this accident, the illegal reasons behind releasing current in fields, the wailing of relatives, and a detailed account of the administrative and public reactions to this matter.
Background of the Incident: Disaster Strikes a Woman Returning with Fodder
In rural areas, animal husbandry serves as a major source of livelihood, for which women journey to fields and diara regions every morning to harvest green grass for their livestock.
Gita Devi Set Out as Usual: On Saturday morning, around 40-year-old Gita Devi, accompanied by another rural female colleague, went toward the fields of Dhaubali Purvi Panchayat to harvest fodder. After cutting grass for a few hours, both women placed their bundles on their heads and began heading back toward their homes when this unforeseen calamity struck.
Sudden Contact with Current: While returning, as she crossed a field along the path, Gita Devi suddenly came into contact with live electric current. The flow of current was so intense that she did not even get a moment to recover, collapsing unconscious on the spot. By the time the other woman accompanying her could comprehend the situation and call out for help, it was already too late.
The Illegal and Dangerous Game of Electrifying Fields
This accident exposes the illegal and lethal practices adopted in rural areas under the guise of protecting crops or vegetables.
A Death Trap in the Name of Crop Protection: According to initial investigations and villagers' statements, certain local individuals had unauthorizedly channeled electrical currents from domestic or naked wires around the perimeter of their fields to protect their crops or produce from cattle or stray animals.
Human Error and Criminal Negligence: Leaving naked live electrical currents running through fields in this manner is entirely illegal and constitutes a criminal act. Under the Electricity Safety Act, this is a punishable offense; nevertheless, many farmers or landowners stealthily engage in such acts, which can claim the life of any innocent human or animal. In this case, identical negligence led to Gita Devi losing her life.
Relatives Inconsolable and Public Outrage
Upon receiving information about the incident, wailing broke out at the deceased's home, and a large crowd of villagers gathered at the scene.
Mountain of Grief on the Family: The husband of the deceased Gita Devi and her young children are inconsolable. The family's financial situation was already weak, and now, with the untimely demise of the household's primary female member, a severe crisis regarding livelihood looms over the family.
Road Blockade and Protests: Enraged villagers immediately initiated slogans against the administration and local police following the incident. Villagers alleged that the electricity department and local police take no concrete action against complaints regarding open electric currents flowing through fields, thereby encouraging such accidents.
Police and Administrative Action
Upon receiving information regarding the incident, the Patarghat police station team promptly arrived at the spot and attempted to control the situation.
Taking Custody of the Body: The police pacified and calmed the villagers, took custody of the deceased's body, and dispatched it for post-mortem examination to Sadar Hospital, Saharsa.
Investigation and FIR: Police officials stated that based on a written application, an FIR under sections of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and the Electricity Act is being registered against the concerned landowner or guilty individuals. The culprits will not be spared under any circumstances.
The death of Gita Devi due to electrocution in Patarghat's Dhaubali Purvi Panchayat is not merely an accident, but the outcome of declining humanitarian empathy and gross disregard for safety regulations. The administration must take strict steps to curb dangerous practices like running electrical currents through fields in the name of crop protection. Unless exemplary punishment is meted out to culprits in such cases, these fatal incidents will continue to occur in rural regions. During this tragic hour, the government and local administration must immediately provide appropriate compensation and assistance to the victim's family.
