Koraput, Jan 31: Outrage erupted in Badashankha village, located in Odisha's Koraput district, after a woman was tragically electrocuted by a dangerously low-hanging 33 kV power line. The villagers spent the night protesting in the forest, demanding justice and compensation for the victim's family.
The deceased, Saraswati Prepeka, was a resident of Badashankha village in the Laxmipur block. According to reports, Saraswati had ventured into the forest on Wednesday to search for her missing buffalo. During her search, she accidentally came into contact with the sagging power line and was electrocuted on the spot.
When Saraswati did not return home after several hours, her family members began a search and discovered her lifeless body later that night. The grim discovery sparked intense anger and grief among the locals, who blamed the electricity department for gross negligence.
Residents of the village pointed out that the 33 kV power line was hanging dangerously low—barely four feet above the ground posing a significant risk to both people and livestock in the area. They claimed that they had repeatedly informed the authorities about the hazardous situation, but no action had been taken to address the issue.
The villagers are holding the electricity department responsible for the tragic death and are demanding immediate compensation for the grieving family. They also called for the relocation or repair of the low-hanging power line and the implementation of proper safety measures to prevent future incidents.
At the time of filing this report, there was no detailed response from local officials or the electricity department regarding the villagers' demands or the incident itself. The protest continues as the community seeks justice and accountability.