NHRC Raises Concerns Over Electrocution of Two Labourers in Tamil Nadu
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New Delhi, Dec 23 (NationPress) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sent notices to the Tamil Nadu government and the state police concerning the reported electrocution of two contract workers associated with the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) in Tiruchi last week, as stated by an official on Monday.
Acting on its own initiative based on a media report about the incident, the NHRC has requested a comprehensive report from the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police of Tamil Nadu within a two-week timeframe.
The media report highlighted that two individuals, employed as contract labourers at Tangedco, tragically lost their lives due to electrocution while attempting to repair a high-tension overhead power line near Olaiyur Ring Road in KK Nagar, Tiruchi on December 18, according to a statement.
The Commission noted that if the details reported by the media are accurate, they suggest significant negligence on the part of the electricity department, leading to the fatalities of the two workers.
Furthermore, the Commission pointed out that such incidents have occurred previously in the state, marking it as a serious violation of human rights and an issue of concern for the Commission.
In its notice, the NHRC requested that the state government provide information regarding the status of the FIR filed in this case and any compensation offered to the victims' families.
The Commission also expressed a desire to understand the measures taken or proposed by the state government and Tangedco to prevent future occurrences of such incidents.
As per initial investigations reported in the media, it was found that the power supply to the cable was not entirely switched off during the repair work in Tiruchi. Additionally, the workers were performing their duties without any safety gear.
In a related incident, a worker was electrocuted while repairing a transformer in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu last year. Last month, a migrant worker was reportedly electrocuted during Cyclone Fengal, with his body discovered near an ATM in Muthialpet.
