Ranchi: The district administration and Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam (JBVNL) are taking proper precautions ahead of Sarhul and Ram Navami to avoid electrocution when long flags taken out during processions touch overhead electric wires.
The development comes in the wake of two back-to-back incidents of electrocution in the city on Tuesday.
SDO Anjali Yadav said the height of the flags would be shorter and unauthorised processions would not be allowed.
"During Sarhul (March 19) and Ram Navami (March 25), people take out processions with long flags that sometimes touch the overhead electric wires and cause accidents. We have planned to keep the height of flag shorter. It has also been observed that many processions are taken out without prior permission of the district administration. It creates coordination problems with JBVNL. There will be no unplanned procession this time," Yadav said.
JBVNL executive engineer Sushil Bhagat said the company would stop power supply during the procession to prevent electrocution in case an overhead wire snaps and falls.
"The agency engaged in underground cabling of high tension wires has been directed to complete the work in areas where processions are taken out every year, including Argora Chowk," Bhagat said.
Electrician Mantu Kumar Bhokta (21) was electrocuted at Mission Chowk around 10am under Lower Bazar police station area of the city on Tuesday. He was a resident of Barki Gorang in Getalsud under Angara police station, about 20km from the city.
One RSS worker Vipul Kumar (22) also died on the same day after coming in contact with a 33kv wire passing over Argora roundabout.
Four other RSS workers sustained burn injuries in the same incident that took place around 9.45pm. They were trying to put up a saffron flag on a 30-feet long iron staff on the roundabout to welcome the Hindu New Year.
Jolt compensation
Ranchi DC Rai Mahimapat Ray on Wednesday paid a cheque for Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of RSS volunteer Vipul Kumar who was electrocuted on Tuesday at Argora Chowk. The cheque was given by Jharkhand Bidyut Vitran Nigam.
Festival meeting
A meeting of peace committee under the chairmanship of Ranchi DC Rai Mahimapat Ray was organised at district collectorate on Wednesday in the run-up to Ram Navami and Sarhul on March 25.
