Assam: 11 killed as high-voltage wire fall on mob in Tinsukia

Guwahati, April 11: Police firing at at Pengeree in Tinsukia district of upper Assam led to the crashing down of a high voltage cable, that killed at least 11 people and injured over 20.

The high-voltage wire fell after being hit by bullets as police fired in the air to disperse a group of protesters, who had not only laid siege to the Pengeree police station but also attacked the police station with stones and brickbats.

"A group of people from neighbouring villages laid siege to the police station on Monday morning. The mob was demanding the police to hand over to them five murder accused, who were arrested over a recent murder case," a police official said.

The mob wanted to punish the accused for the murder, he added.

"The mob soon became unruly and started pelting stones at the police station. We started a lathi-charge but it failed to disperse the crowd," the official said.

"Police then fired in the air to disperse the crowd. Unfortunately, the bullets hit the high-voltage electric wire overhead and it fell down on the agitators, killing nine of them on the spot and injuring over a dozen others."

Two of the injured died lated in a hospital, taking the toll to 11.

Although the situation was under control, there was simmering tension in the entire area, police said.

Meanwhile, Assam BJP president Sarbananda Sonowal expressed concern over the incident and demanded a high-level probe.

Sonowal, the union minister of youth affairs and sports, also announced Rs.1 lakh compensation to the families of each of the deceased and Rs.25,000 to those injured.

PM, HM express grief over Assam deaths

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed grief on the loss of lives caused by falling of electric cable in Assam's Tinsukia district and asked Home Minister Rajnath Singh to take suitable steps.

OneIndia News

(With agency inputs)