Tension in CB Pur villages over farmer's electrocution

Tension prevailed in Varadahalli, Nayanahalli, Thamman­a­yakanahalli and surrounding villages in the taluk, following the electrocution of a farmer on Sunday.

An irate mob of farmers broke the glass windowpanes of a vehicle belonging to the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom).

They held a roadblock protest on National Highway-234.

Lakshmaiah, 60, a farmer from Varadahalli, died on the spot after he stepped on a live wire that had snapped, while he was on his way to his potato farm.

He is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters.

A large number of village residents gathered at the spot after the incident at around 9 am and did not disperse till 1 pm.

Residents alleged that repeated calls to the Bescom office to cut off power, after the incident, did not evoke a proper response.

They responded only after senior officials were contacted, the village residents said.

They resorted to roadblock protest as the authorities concerned delayed coming to the spot. Police later visited the spot and pacified the protesters.

Traffic on the highway returned to normal. Bescom officials also visited the place later.

K Sudhakar, the MLA, promised that the family of the deceased would get Rs 2.3 lakh as compensation from Bescom. He personally gave Rs 1 lakh to the family.