Take Action Against Officials Responsible For Farmer Death: NHRC

BHUBANESWAR: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought an action taken report from Odisha government regarding compensation paid to the next of kin of the deceased, who was killed due to electrocution.

The Commission further directed the additional secretary of the Energy department to take action within six weeks against the officials due to whose negligence the incident occurred.

This order came in a case filed by rights campaigner Subash Mohapatra, whose petition stated that one Shyam Sunder Sahu resident of Achhada Village under Khunta police station area of Mayurbhanj District, Odisha, died of electrocution on September 13, 2013.

The 55 years old man died after coming in contact with a live wire when the victim was on the way to his farmland.

Under the directions of the Commission, the additional secretary has submitted his report in March 2014 stating that the death was due to electrocution by coming in contact with the sagged 33 KV live conductor.

As per the inquiry conducted by the state government, the fatal electrical accident occurred due to lack of proper maintenance/ replacement of electrical control equipment and had fixed responsibility on officers of NESCO.

“The report is silent regarding the action taken against the officials due to whose negligence the incident occurred and compensation paid to the next of kin of the deceased Shyam Sunder Sahu,” the Commission observed.