A 23-year-old youth, Ajay Debnath, was electrocuted in Kalyanpur after a live high-tension wire snapped near a paddy field, sparking massive public outrage against the Power Corporation over alleged negligence and delayed action.
Tension engulfed Kalyanpur on Tuesday afternoon after a 23-year-old youth tragically lost his life due to electrocution, triggering massive public outrage against the local Power Corporation. The deceased, identified as Ajay Debnath, son of Kartik Debnath, was a resident of Manipuri Basti, West Ghilatali in Kalyanpur. The incident has sparked a wave of anger, grief, and calls for accountability among the locals.
According to reports, a high-tension electric wire had snapped days earlier and was left unattended near a paddy field in the area. Locals claim that the live wire had been posing a serious threat to lives for several days. Despite repeated complaints to the Power Corporation, no action was reportedly taken, resulting in this fatal tragedy.
On Tuesday morning, Ajay went to his paddy field, which was partially submerged due to recent rains. Spotting the live wire lying dangerously close to the water, he reportedly tried to move it aside to prevent any possible mishap. Unfortunately, he came into direct contact with the live wire and was instantly electrocuted.
Nearby farmers and local residents rushed to his aid and quickly transported him to Kalyanpur Hospital, but doctors declared him dead on arrival. News of his death spread like wildfire through the village, plunging the community into mourning and sparking widespread outrage.
Soon after the incident, hundreds of locals gathered near the Power Corporation office in Kalyanpur, shouting slogans and accusing officials of gross negligence and failure to respond to earlier complaints. The protest turned tense as angry villagers demanded immediate suspension and arrest of the officials responsible for ignoring the hazardous situation.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kalyanpur Police Station, Ashish Sarkar, along with a police team, rushed to the spot to control the situation. Authorities attempted to pacify the protesters through dialogue, but the crowd’s anger continued to escalate. When verbal persuasion failed, police reportedly resorted to a mild lathi-charge to disperse the agitated mob.
The confrontation led to minor injuries to several people, including both civilians and police personnel. Later, additional forces were deployed to restore order and prevent further escalation.
Speaking to reporters, OC Sarkar confirmed that an investigation has been launched to ascertain the exact circumstances leading to Ajay’s death. “We have initiated a probe to determine the cause and sequence of events. The public’s anger is understandable, given that a young life was lost due to alleged negligence,” he said.
Locals, however, continue to demand strict action against the Power Corporation officials responsible for the delayed response. “This is not the first time such a thing has happened,” said a resident, claiming that electric safety issues in rural areas are often ignored by authorities until tragedies occur.
Family members of the deceased were inconsolable. “We had complained multiple times about the dangerous wire, but no one came to fix it. My son died because of their negligence,” lamented Kartik Debnath, Ajay’s father, amid tears.
Social organizations and local youth groups have extended support to the victim’s family, calling for compensation and accountability. They urged the administration to ensure that safety inspections of power lines in rural and agricultural areas are carried out regularly to prevent such fatal incidents.
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As of now, the situation in Kalyanpur remains tense but under control, with police maintaining a strong presence in the area. The tragic incident has once again exposed the lack of infrastructure maintenance and negligence within the power distribution system, raising serious concerns over public safety in rural Tripura.
