Electric Lineman Dies of Electrocution in Ormanjhi, Chaos Erupts Over Alleged Departmental Negligence
Family Demands Compensation, Government Job and Strict Action Against Those Responsible
Ranchi: Umesh Kushwaha, also known as Umesh Mahto, a resident of Shankar Chowk in Ormanjhi police station area, died tragically on Monday morning after being electrocuted while on duty. The deceased worked as an electric lineman and was repairing an 11,000-volt high-tension line in Anandi Purnatoli village. According to eyewitnesses, the power supply had been shut down before the maintenance work began. However, during the repair, the supply was suddenly restored, causing Umesh Kushwaha to be fatally electrocuted on the pole. News of the incident spread rapidly, triggering panic in the area. A large crowd of villagers gathered at the site and expressed anger at the gross negligence of the electricity department. The enraged villagers refused to bring the body down and shouted slogans against the department and administration. On receiving the information, Rajya Sabha MP Aditya Prasad Sahu, former Khijri MLA Ramkumar Pahan, Jaygovind Sahu (Lalu Sahu), Randhir Choudhary, JLKM Central Secretary Sarwan Kumar Mahto, JLKM Central Vice President Jaleshwar Mahto (Marshal), JLKM Leader Ramsevak Mahto, JLKM Leader Sudhanshu Mahto, BDO Kameshwar Bedia, Ormanjhi Police Station In-Charge Anil Kumar Tiwari and senior officials of the electricity department reached the spot. The public representatives tried to pacify the agitated villagers and the grieving family.
Rajya Sabha MP Aditya Prasad Sahu wrote on Facebook that this was not just negligence but appears to be an inhuman murder carried out under a planned conspiracy. He said this tragic incident cost the life of a hardworking man and clearly shows how departmental negligence is now a threat to human lives. He prayed for peace for the departed soul and strength for the bereaved family to bear this unbearable loss. Rajya Sabha MP Aditya Prasad Sahu also spoke to Electricity Department Secretary Avinash Kumar over the phone. The Executive Engineer reached the spot and assured the villagers that the family would be given 5 lakh compensation, 25,000 for last rites, lifelong pension, and a government job to one dependent. He demanded strict action against the responsible officials so that no other Umesh Kushwaha has to lose his life due to such negligence in the future.
The villagers reiterated their demand for appropriate compensation, a government job for one dependent, lifelong pension, and registration of a murder case against negligent employees. They said the incident was a clear result of serious departmental negligence and violation of safety norms, forcing a hardworking family to lose its only breadwinner. After hours of protest, the villagers agreed to bring the body down only after officials gave a written assurance. The body was then sent to RIMS for post-mortem. Speaking to media persons, JLKM Central Secretary Sarwan Kumar Mahto said that this tragic incident happened only because of the electricity department’s negligence. He added that Umesh Mahto from Ormanjhi was always dedicated and honest in his work, and seeing such a hardworking person burn alive is extremely painful and heartbreaking. He had been working for the electricity department on a contract basis for over 10 years, yet he was never made permanent. He demanded that the government must ensure proper compensation for the family. JLKM Central Vice President Jaleshwar Mahto alias Marshal told the media that may God grant peace to the departed soul. He said such incidents are reported frequently and they always try to reach the affected families to provide every possible support. He demanded that the electricity department must provide proper safety kits to every lineman, saying that if safety kits were provided, such tragic accidents could be prevented.
After the post-mortem, the body was handed over to the family and the final rites were performed on the banks of the Doma River.
