Farmers electrocuted by low electric wires in Nizamabad

Nizamabad: It seems that accidental deaths caused by electrocution are far more common than suicidal deaths in Nizamabad and Kamareddy districts.

Last Saturday, a farmer Pattukokula Ramulu was electrocuted when iron plough accidentally came into touch with live wires in Vankayalapalle village, a suburb of Tadvai mandal in Kamareddy district. This farmer's death marks the beginning of usual deaths in rainy season due to electric shock in villages.

Normally distance between two electric poles should be at least 50 feet and pillar height should be at least 18 feet. But in most of the villages,these electric wires can be touched with a raised hand, as they are hanging very low.

In many places, electric poles were damaged and wires have become a threat to people lives. Two to three people will die due to electric shock per month. Electric wires hanging at a low height, transformers and broken pillars are worrying the commoners, who are not sure what danger is lurking and when will it will harm them. More than 2to 3 people die from electric shocks per month.

Shafi, a contract employee of Transco, was electrocuted in Pochammagalli village in Nizamabad district on June 20. The officials are negligent about taking up repairs to the transformers. Sometimes the work is not done unless the staff is bribed.

Bribes to replace the pillars is a daily business. It was also criticised that the victims were not even provided proper medical care.