Koraput, Jan 21: In an unfortunate incident, a couple was electrocuted after reportedly coming in contact with live wires laid by poachers to hunt wild animals in Nandapur block of Odisha’s Koraput district on Monday.

The deceased have been identified as Balaram Galel and his wife Bala Galel and the incident has been reported from Geruput village under Nandapur block.

As per reports, the husband wife duo, owners of a tea stall near Nandapur Hata, had gone to the nearby forest to collect firewood last evening and did not return home. 

Worried about their whereabouts, their family and villagers launched a frantic search and found their bodies entangled with an electric wire in the forest allegedly laid by poachers to trap animals.

Upon getting the information, Nandapur police arrived at the scene and seized the bodies. Subsequently, they were sent for post-mortem.

The incident has sparked massive public outrage in the area with villagers demanding stringent action against the poachers and compensation for the families of the victims.

 Further investigation into the incident was underway.