What Happened During the Kanwar Yatra in Rajasthan's Alwar?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Two devotees died and approximately 25 were injured during the Kanwar Yatra.
- The incident involved a DJ truck hitting a high-voltage transmission line.
- Seven of the injured are receiving advanced treatment in Alwar.
- The local community organizes the Yatra annually, bringing holy water from Haridwar.
- Villagers are demanding better safety measures for future events.
Jaipur, July 23 (NationPress) A tragic incident occurred during the Kanwar Yatra in Rajasthan's Alwar district, where two devotees tragically lost their lives and approximately 25 others were injured when a DJ truck in the procession came into contact with a high-tension electric line. The accident transpired around 7:30 a.m. in Bichgaon village.
Initial reports indicate that the DJ truck, returning from Haridwar as part of the procession, accidentally touched a high-voltage transmission line. This contact caused electric current to surge through the ground, resulting in the electrocution of several devotees nearby. Out of the injured, seven individuals were referred to Alwar for advanced medical treatment.
Currently, three of those injured are in critical condition. The deceased have been identified as Gopal (22), the son of Lalaram, and Suresh Prajapat (40), the son of Kajodiram, both hailing from Bichgaon.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that the local community organizes this Kanwar Yatra every year, bringing sacred water from Haridwar. On Tuesday night, the procession reached Bichgaon and was making its way towards the village's Shiva temple when the calamity struck. At the time of the incident, around 500 devotees were participating in the Yatra.
The accident occurred as three Kanwars were being carried to the temple, and the high-tension line caused a current surge in the area. In response, angry villagers blocked the Laxmangarh-Mundawar road, demanding accountability and improved safety measures.
When asked about any previous complaints regarding the high-tension line, Laxmangarh Tehsildar Mamta Kumari stated she was unaware of any such issues.
“Upon receiving information about the accident, we promptly arrived at the scene and also visited the CHC at Gadhiswairam, where 20 injured individuals have been admitted,” she noted. Initially, victims were taken to Laxmangarh Hospital, where the emergency ward was overwhelmed with casualties from the incident.
The villagers are in disbelief as a once-festive occasion has transformed into a devastating tragedy.