Tragedy Strikes Kota: 18 Injured in Electrocution During Shiv Barat Procession

Kota, Rajasthan witnessed a heart-wrenching incident on the occasion of Mahashivratri as sixteen children and two others participating in Shiv Barat sustained burn injuries after coming into contact with a high-tension power line. The injured, including a boy with critical burns, were rushed to hospitals for immediate medical attention.

On the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri, a somber incident occurred in Kota, Rajasthan, where sixteen children and two adults participating in a Shiv Barat procession sustained severe burn injuries due to electrocution. The high-tension power line passing overhead in the Sakatpura area under the Kunhari police station proved fatal for the unsuspecting participants.

Extent of Injuries

Among the affected individuals, one boy who held the iron rod that came into contact with the power line suffered extensive burn injuries, amounting to 100 percent of his body. Four others sustained significant burns, ranging from 40 to 50 percent. The gravity of their injuries necessitated their immediate referral to SMS Hospital in Jaipur, following initial treatment at Kota's MBS Hospital.

Additional Casualties and Response

In addition to the children, eleven other boys, a man, and a woman also sustained injuries during the incident and were undergoing treatment at MBS Hospital. The news of this unfortunate event reached the ears of Rajasthan's Chief Minister, Bhajan Lal Sharma, who expressed his deep sadness and instructed the administration to provide prompt medical assistance to the injured.

Official Investigations

In response to the incident, the state's Energy Minister, Heeralal Nagar, ordered a departmental probe to ascertain the cause of the mishap. Furthermore, District Collector Ravindra Goswami formed an administrative probe committee headed by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Kota. The committee includes two engineers from the Jaipur Electricity Transmission Nigam to ensure a thorough investigation.

Sequence of Events

According to Kota City SP Amrita Duhan, the Shiv Barat procession involved local women carrying water pots on their heads and children holding flags attached to iron rods. Tragically, one of the boys was holding a 22-foot-high iron flagpole that came into contact with the high-tension power line around noon.

An eyewitness present at the scene described how the boy was electrocuted and flung into the air upon contact with the power line. Others attempted to rescue him by pulling the rod away, but they too received electric shocks. The commotion was further amplified when the women carrying the pots dropped them, spilling water on the ground.

Medical Treatment

MBS Hospital Superintendent Dr. Dharmraj Meena confirmed that at least 16 children, a 28-year-old man, and a 38-year-old woman with burn injuries were admitted to the emergency and burn wards on Friday noon. Five of the children, including the one with 100 percent burn injury, were referred to SMS Hospital in Jaipur for specialized care, while the remaining 13 were being treated at MBS Hospital.

Official Visits and Public Reaction

Several prominent figures, including Lok Sabha Speaker and Kota-Bundi MP Om Birla, State Energy Minister Heeralal Nagar, Kota District Collector Ravindra Goswami, Kota City SP Amrita Duhan, former MLA Phralad Gunjal, and BJP leader Chandra Kanta Meghwal, visited MBS Hospital to supervise the medical care provided to the injured.

Understandably, the families of the victims were distraught and expressed anger towards the organizers of the procession. This led to a commotion at the scene, requiring police intervention to pacify the agitated family members.

Ongoing Investigations

While the police have not yet received an official report on the incident, they have acknowledged that the organizers had not obtained prior permission for the event from the administration. However, no case has been registered as of Friday evening due to the absence of a formal report.

Meanwhile, the Divisional Chief Engineer of Jaipur Discom, GS Bairwa, ordered an on-the-spot inspection by the Kota Circle Superintendent Engineer. The report revealed that a 132 KV Nanta feeder line from 220 KV GSS, Sakatpura, was passing through the area. The flags attached to the iron rods held by the children came into contact with the high-tension line, resulting in the electrocution.

The exact cause of the mishap is yet to be determined and will be ascertained upon the completion of the district collector's probe committee report.