After fatal electrocution, dept to probe misuse of agri connection

Panaji: The electricity department, which temporarily disconnected the agricultural power connection to the property at Sanguem where two brothers lost their lives to electrocution, is also conducting its own investigation.

It will be sending the owner a show cause notice asking why the connection shouldn’t be permanently disconnected for misuse.The connection was given by the department for agricultural purposes but was extended illegally and used by the owner to prevent animals from entering the property. Unfortunately, the two brothers lost their lives on Wednesday after coming in contact with the live wires when they went out to collect fodder for their cattle.

Police booked a case against the owner, Jaya Gaonkar.The department has stated that using electrical connections to ward off animals is not permitted. “The police have sought some information from the department, and we are in the process of providing it. The electricity department is cautious about what happened. Such incidents should not repeat,” a department engineer said.“Everybody is busy with Ganesh Chaturthi, and the spot was difficult to access on Friday amid heavy rain when engineers tried to visit, so the department will be visiting the spot on Monday,” the engineer said, adding that a decision will later be taken on whether to permanently disconnect the supply of power.The two brothers, Rajendra and Mohandas Gaonkar, aged 40 and 46, lost their lives after coming into contact with a live wire installed to keep animals away.