Milch animals electrocuted in UP, farmers protest

Farmers on Monday protested here against the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation and alleged a "big scam" after five milch animals of a farmer were electrocuted during the rain.

Jai Chand, a dairy farmer in Sikrod area here, woke up early on Monday to find his three buffaloes and two cows dead with live electric wires from the UP Power Corporation's local distribution system lying on them, police said.

He said the animals yielded 50 kg of milk a day, amounting to a daily income of Rs 2,500. The animals themselves would have fetched about Rs 3,50,000 in the market, Jai Chand said.

As the news spread, a crowd of angry farmers gathered and protested against the corporation, alleging that it has been avoiding replacing the old wires despite several complaints and reminders.

"Wires have been shown to be replaced on paper and funds for the purpose have repeatedly been embezzled," they said.

Subsequently, Ghaziabad Mayor Ashu Verma pacified the protesters and assured them that she would talk to the District Magistrate to get the farmer compensated for his loss.

Sub-Divisional Officer Shashank Mishra said heavy rain and strong winds brought down the wires which have now been replaced and the power supply will be restored soon.

--IANS

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