Jhunjhunu electrocution claims 8 lives; compensation announced amid negligence allegations
Jhunjhunu, November 02: At least eight workers engaged in a road construction project were electrocuted in Chhapoli village of Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district on Monday, while five others sustained burn injuries and are undergoing treatment at the Udaipurwati Community Health Centre.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the families of the deceased, while Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma also condoled the untimely deaths and directed authorities to ensure proper medical care for the injured.
Udaipurwati Police Station Officer Rampal said that the accident occurred on the Chhapoli-Kadamba Kund road, about 150 meters from the Sikar-Neem Ka Thana State Highway. A machine used for mixing gravel and sand came in contact with an overhead high-tension power line, causing it to become electrocuted. The labourers working there got electrocuted. The wire of the high voltage line touched the hydraulic jack of the gravel (concrete) mixer machine. After the incident, the villagers started a sit-in.
Hariram Gurjar (30) son of Shankar Lal, Mangalchand (22) son of Girdharilal Gurjar, Kaluram Gurjar (29) son of Bhikharam Gurjar and Pawan Gurjar (23) son of Jagdish Gurjar, residents of Haleda Mandawara, died in the accident. These four belonged to the same family. Apart from this, Vishnu Saini (38) son of Nanuram Saini, Surendra alias Suresh Saini (30) son of Mahavir Saini, Mukesh Saini (27) son of Shankarlal Saini and Fatehchand Saini (32) son of Jagdish, residents of Chhapoli, also died due to electrocution. Chhapoli residents Mahendra, son of Banwari Lal Saini, Geeta Devi (45), wife of Madan Lal Meghwal, Santara Devi (35), wife of Satish Meghwal, Gida Ram (45), son of Dhanaram Saini, and Manju Devi (38), wife of Rajesh Kumar, were injured (burnt).
Villagers alleged negligence on the part of the administration and electricity department. Poles and power lines were touching trees. When they called to disconnect the line, no staff was present at the Grid Substation (GSS). Injured Gida Ram Saini said, “We were all pushing a machine to another location in Chhapoli when it touched a wire and caused an electric shock. There were 12-13 people at the scene. The villagers began creating a ruckus, demanding the Collector be called to the scene, after which the police pacified them with persuasion.
Upon learning of the accident, Jhunjhunu Collector Arun Garg, Superintendent of Police Kavinder Singh Sagar, MLA Bhagwana Ram Saini, and many others arrived at the scene. UDH Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra also arrived. Information about the incident was collected from the people. Later, Kharra informed Chief Minister Sharma about the incident.
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma expressed grief over the untimely death of the workers in the accident. He said on the social media platform ‘X’ that the concerned officials have been directed to provide proper treatment to the injured, provide all possible assistance to the affected families immediately and investigate the incident. The Chief Minister also prayed for the peace of the departed souls, speedy recovery of the injured and strength to the bereaved families to bear the grief.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also expressed grief over the accident. He wrote on X that the electrocution deaths of workers in Chhapoli village of Udaipurwati are extremely sad. He said that an investigation into the entire incident is necessary to determine how the accident occurred during road construction and who is responsible for these deaths.
Gehlot demanded that the state government provide adequate compensation and all possible assistance to the families of the deceased. He expressed condolences to the families of the workers who lost their lives in the accident and prayed for the peace of the departed souls.
