A young dancer died after being electrocuted while performing at a programme in Bhatpara in North 24-Parganas on Thursday evening.
Witnesses said Sajal Barui, 22, a resident of Kalyani in Nadia, was electrocuted a
little after the programme began.
Sajal was apparently electrocuted when he came in contact with a metal structure on the stage, the witnesses said. He passed out and fell to the ground from a height.
The youth was rushed to Bhatpara State General Hospital, where he was declared dead.
The eight-day Bhatpara Cultural Festival, which is being held at the Reliance Jute Mill ground, started on January 20.
Local Trinamul councillor Amit Gupta is associated with the event.
Sajal, whose father is a driver by profession, was a trained Bharatanatyam dancer and pursuing MA in dance at Rabindra Bharati University.
The body will be handed to the family after an autopsy on Friday, police said.
Sajal was performing at the programme as a member of the Halisahar based Chhandasik dance group. Other members of the group who performed at the event accused the organisers of negligence.
Swarup Ghatak, principal of Chhandasik, said: “Soon after Sajal fell, I rushed to him. I cried for help and asked them to stop the performance.... Sajal was fit and had no illness. At least two of our performers suffered mild electric shocks.”
Many parents who accompanied their wards to the event alleged that the organisers ignored their repeated pleas to fix the damaged wires on the stage.
Karabi Bose, whose daughter performed at the show, said: “At least two of girls suffered mild electric shocks. We requested the organisers to repair the fault. Unfortunately they did nothing and one of our boys had to paid the price with his life for their negligence.
Councillor Gupta denied the allegations. “Other performers could have been electrocuted had there been any fault,” he said.
