Farmer’s electrocution triggers road blockade, anger over ‘negligence’

Kalaburagi: Villagers in Afzalpur town blocked the Kalaburagi-Vijayapura road on Saturday after a farmer died after coming in contact with a live electric wire at Allagi village in Afzalpur taluk of Kalaburagi district.The deceased was identified as Basappa Mahadevappa Pujari, 42. He is survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter and three brothers. It is said that Basappa Pujari climbed an electricity pole on the instructions of village lineman Gunduji Chavan around 10am on Saturday.Questions were raised over whether the power supply had been completely shut down and if necessary safety measures were followed. Basappa Pujari was seriously injured after being electrocuted moments after climbing the pole.

Members of the public rushed him to the Afzalpur govt hospital, but he died as treatment proved ineffective, sources said.The incident triggered outrage in the village, with locals alleging dereliction of duty and negligence by the lineman. Villagers staged a protest by blocking the road and demanded strict legal action against those responsible.As per electricity department norms, power supply must be shut off before anyone climbs a pole and safety measures must be strictly followed. In this case, it is suspected that these protocols were not adhered to.Afzalpur police have registered a case.