Birashchi Tripura (45), a tribal woman from Manughat, tragically died from electrocution on Friday while collecting snails on the banks of the Kakri River in Dharmanagar. The incident has sparked outrage among locals, who blame the negligence of the electricity department.
Tripura, along with three companions from Manughat and Nal Kata, had arrived in Dharmanagar by train for snail collection. While searching in the river, Tripura accidentally came into contact with a loose but live electric wire. Witnesses promptly alerted the Dharmanagar Fire Brigade and the electricity department. The fire brigade retrieved Tripura’s body, and medical officials at North District Hospital pronounced her dead on arrival.
Residents allege they had previously informed the electricity department about the exposed wire but received no response. They believe this lack of action directly led to Tripura’s death.