A tragic workplace accident in Sundargarh district’s Lahunipada area has claimed the life of a 23-year-old migrant worker from Jharkhand.
The incident has triggered widespread public concern and raised serious questions regarding labor safety protocols, official accountability, and procedural transparency.
According to reports, electrical maintenance and installation work was underway along the Rajamunda-Tumukala road to supply power to an industrial unit. While a scheduled shutdown had been enforced for the main 33kV line installation, tragedy struck when the victim reportedly came into accidental contact with an active 11kV line running beneath the 33kV poles.
The deceased has been identified as Rohit Kumar, a young worker hailing from Jharkhand. Following the accident, fellow workers and locals rushed him to the subdivision hospital in Bonai, where attending medical professionals pronounced him dead upon arrival.
Raising Questions on Safety and Procedure
The unfortunate incident has ignited severe criticism and administrative scrutiny over multiple fronts:
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Safety Lapses: Locals and labour rights advocates have questioned whether the contractors and executing agencies ensured mandatory safety gear—such as insulating gloves, harnesses, and certified helmets—for workers handling high-voltage infrastructure. Furthermore, questions persist regarding whether the adjoining 11kV line was adequately shut down or insulated before high-risk operations commenced.
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Procedural Delays and Opacity: While the accident reportedly took place on the evening of November 11, a formal police case (Case No. 280/26) was registered late at night at around 9:00 PM, causing anxiety among local observers.
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The Mortuary Controversy: Public concern has grown over the handling of the deceased’s mortal remains. Despite the Bonai morgue having full facilities—as demonstrated just a day prior during a separate case involving a local resident from Kelang police limits—authorities shifted Rohit’s body to the Rourkela morgue. Questions have also been raised regarding how and when the tragic news was communicated to the grieving family members, who were not initially present.
Investigation and Autopsy
Local police have confirmed the identity of the victim. Following the arrival of family members from Jharkhand, a formal post-mortem examination was conducted under police observation, and the body was subsequently handed over to the grieving relatives for final rites.
Authorities have stated that comprehensive investigations are underway to determine which contractor or agency employed the victim, whether mandatory safety protocols were bypassed, and what exact sequence of events led to the fatal shock. The final autopsy report and ongoing police inquiry are expected to shed further light on accountability.
