A young worker died after coming in contact with a live electric wire while cleaning a large pit near a crusher site at Heleli village under Redhakhol block in Sambalpur district on Wednesday morning.
The victim, identified as 21-year-old Soumya Ranjan Naik from Tentelapani village in Angul district, worked as a helper on a Pokline machine at the crusher for over a year. He was washing the pit when he accidentally touched a live wire lying on the ground and died instantly.
Villagers discovered his body near the pit and informed local authorities. The incident triggered tension in the area, as it occurred just six days after another worker, Sandeep Sarkar from West Bengal, died at the same crusher when a stone fragment struck him during work.
Officials, including Redhakhol BDO Rajendra Narayan Senapati, NAC Executive Officer Ranjan Martha, Block Chairman Pradeep Pradhan, and revenue officers, visited the site and held discussions with villagers and the victim’s family. Fire service teams from Redhakhol and Naktideul recovered the body and sent it for post-mortem.
Villagers demanded ₹50 lakh compensation from the crusher owner and government assistance for the bereaved family. They also insisted on sealing the crusher, citing repeated fatalities. Authorities sealed the unit temporarily after talks between officials, villagers, and the owner.
The administration assured that financial aid would be provided from both the crusher management and government sources, and further action would follow after detailed discussions.
