Labourer electrocuted to death in Chhattisgarh

A 27-year-old labourer of the state electricity department was electrocuted to death while working on a electric pole in Chhattisgarh's Bemetara district, police said today.

The incident took place last evening when Ramprasad Ratre was repairing an electricity connection on the pole in Jevra S village under under Nawagarh police station limits, Station House Officer (SHO) CL Uike told PTI.

While working, he mistakenly touched a live wire and was electrocuted to death, Uike said.

His body remained hanging from the pole for around 14 hours, before it was brought down.

Ratre, a native of Murkuta village, was working on contract as helper for a lineman of the department.
 

A police team reached the spot last evening itself but they decided to bring down the body this morning, the SHO said adding that his family was informed thereafter.

The villagers prohibited the police to touch his body and demanded monetary compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh for the deceased, the SHO said.

However, this morning, electricity department staff arrived there and reached to a compromise with the villagers following which the corpse was brought down, he said.

His body has been handed over to the relatives after the post mortem and a case has been registered in this connection, the SHO added.