Gracy Tripathy & Sarthak Kanjilall
Port Blair October 27: Mr. B Kistamma, a lineman of Electricity Department, Baratang, who is on the verge of retirement, got electrocuted at around 9:30 AM on last Sunday. As per reports due to leakage of power in electric pole the lineman got electrocuted and fell down from pole, sustaining severe injuries.
Soon he was rushed to PHC Baratang and was later referred to Port Blair, where his condition is said to be stable but he is under observation.
However, this incident left many local grassroots leader of the region fuming. According to former Up-Adhyaksh Zilla Parishad N &M Andaman Mr Alager Swamy there are only two linemen in entire Baratang area, who are going to retire in December this year.
“This is sad that these two old linemen are made to work on electric pole even during extreme weather. They don’t even have a government quarter to live. We had raised this topic many times to send more linemen for Baratang region but there is no one to listen to public,” Mr. Alager Swami alleged.
Mr. Alager Swamy also alleged that the linemen are made to work without any safety gears, which resulted in this accident.
He demanded more linemen for the Baratang and other regions of North and Middle and also safety gears for all linemen.
Meanwhile, the Superintendent Engineer, Electricity Department, Er. Ajit Bernard told Andaman Sheekha that he has spoken to the DHS regarding the treatment of the lineman and also confirmed that his condition is stable. (Pic Courtesy: Mr. G. Kurma Rao, Baratang)
