Agartala, June 28: In a heart-wrenching incident, seven people lost their lives and 16 others were injured due to electrocution during Ulta Rath Yatra at Kumarghat in Unakoti district of Tripura on Wednesday.
The unfortunate accident occurred as the top of the chariot came in contact with a high-voltage overhead electric wire. Everything had changed within a few seconds.
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha visited the place of occurrence and three hospitals in Unakoti district. He expressed deep shock over the incident. He also met the injured persons in the hospitals.
Later, he announced Rs 4 lakh ex gratia for the next kin of each deceased. Besides, Rs 2.5 lakh would be given to persons who suffered 60 per cent burn injuries and Rs 74,000 to those who suffered 40 burn injuries.
The Chief Minister also announced that the Government would shoulder the treatment cost of the injured persons. He also ordered a probe by a team led by the District Magistrate. A separate investigation was also ordered by Power minister Ratan Lal Nath.
A large number of devotees were pulling the Rath of Lord Jagannath amidst the inclement weather. As the Rath took a turn on its way to the New Town Hall in Kumarghat, the top of the Rath came in contact with a 133KV transmission line. Six persons including three women, and two children were electrocuted to death on the spot while another minor died on the way to the hospital.
The deceased persons are Sima Pal (33), Sushmita Baidya (30), Rupak Das (40), Soma Biswas (28), Rohan Das (9), Shan Malakar (9) and Priyanka Ghosh (9). Mortal remains of the deceased persons were sent to the Fatikroy morgue.
The injured persons are undergoing treatment at Kumarghat, Fatikroy and Unakoti District Hospitals. Four persons with serious injuries were referred to the GB Hospital.
Talking to media, the Chief Minister stated that such an unfortunate incident had never occurred in the history of Tripura.
"We cannot express in words the magnitude of this unfortunate incident. During the Ulto Rath Yatra, the chariot came in contact with a wire, leading to its electrocution. Those who were on the stairway of the chariot died on the spot, while those inside the chariot remained unharmed. This incident is truly unfortunate and unimaginable. As soon as I heard about the incident, I personally spoke with Minister Tinku Roy and former Minister Bhagaban Das, who were in Kumarghat. Accompanied by them, I have visited the site and assessed the situation. We express our deepest condolences," Dr. Saha said.
He said the injured persons were taken to Fatikroy, Kumarghat, and GB Pant hospitals.
“I have visited Fatikroy and Kumarghat hospitals to meet the victims and the family members of the deceased. I have instructed the Health authorities and Chief Secretary to ensure proper treatment. We stand with the families of the deceased and the injured persons. The government has decided to bear all the expenses for the treatment of the injured,” he said at a press conference while announcing the compensation for the deceased and injured persons.
The Chief Minister also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased person, and Rs. 50,000 for injured persons.
