Tripura: 6, including 2 children, die of electrocution during yatra procession
According to the police, the incident took place during the “Ulto Rath” procession, which is the ‘return’ journey of the Hindu god Jagannath and his two siblings after the annual Rath Yatra festival
At least six people, including three women and two children, were electrocuted to death and another 15 were injured after the crest of a chariot of Lord Jagannath came in contact with high-tension power transmission lines during a procession at Kumarghat in Unakoti district on Wednesday, police said.
According to the police, the incident took place during the “Ulto Rath” procession, which is the ‘return’ journey of the Hindu god Jagannath and his two siblings after the annual Rath Yatra festival.
A video of the incident went viral on social media showing people electrocuted to death at Kumarghat.
The six deceased were identified as Sima Pal ( 33), Sushmita Baishya ( 30), Suma Biswas ( 28), Rupak Das ( 40), Rohan Das ( 9) and Shan Malakar ( 9).
“The injured persons are admitted to Unakoti district hospital in Kailasahar. Some of them are known to be critical. We are collecting details,” said assistant inspector general (Law and Order) Jyotishman Das Chowdhury.
Chief minister Manik Saha, who left for Kumarghat expressed condolences.
“In a tragic incident, several devotees have lost their lives & some other people sustained injuries due to electrocution during Ulta Rath Yatra at Kumarghat today. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families who lost their near and dear ones in the tragedy. In this difficult time, the State Government stands by the side of the affected families”, CM wrote on Twitter.
Royal Scion and TIPRA Motha party chief Pradyot Kishore Debbarma condoled over the deaths and asked his party legislators and members of Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) to provide all possible assistance.
“Hearing about a terrible incident in Kumarghat during the rath yatra, my prayers and condolences to all those who have been affected. I have immediately asked all my local MLAs and MDC to extend all help possible”, he wrote on Twitter.
