VALPOI
A lineman from Ghodemal-Morlem who had joined the electricity department barely four years ago was electrocuted, while another lineman was injured when they came into contact with live wires while working on a transformer at Honda-Sattari on Tuesday morning.
The incident sparked outrage in Sattari taluka, with people demanding to know why the department had not shut down the power supply while the two linemen were at work and action against those guilty for the lapse which cost a life.
According to reports, the two linemen, Chandrakant Gaonkar and Sarvesh Gaonkar, were at work on a transformer near the KTC bus stand in Honda at about 11 am, when they came into contact with live wires.
Chandrakant remained on the transformer while Sarvesh fell to the ground and sustained injuries in the mishap. Other electricity staff and locals brought Chandrakant down and rushed him to the Sankhali Community Health Centre, where he was declared dead.
Sarvesh was also admitted to the hospital and is undergoing treatment.
On receiving information about the incident, a Valpoi police team went to the site to conduct investigations and later sent the body for an autopsy at the Goa Medical College hospital.
Grief, shock and anger prevailed in Morlem village over the tragic demise of the lineman.
Villagers demanded a thorough investigation into the matter and action against those responsible for not shutting down power supply while the two linemen were at work.
The cause of the mishap is still unclear and when officials were contacted, one official said that investigations were underway in the matter
Health Minister and Valpoi MLA Vishwajit Rane and Poriem MLA Dr Deviya Rane have expressed grief over the incident and demanded a thorough investigation into the matter.
They have assured full support to the bereaved family and promised to provide assistance for the education for Chandrakant’s two minor children.
