Srinagar, May 21: In a tragic incident that has sparked outrage in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district, a 20-year-old youth lost his life while three others sustained injuries after reportedly coming in contact with a live electric current in the Ramhal area on Thursday.
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The deceased has been identified as Danish Ahmad Lone, son of a poor family from Kinal Tarathpora. He died on the spot after suffering a severe electric shock in Malikpora village of Tarathpora.
According to local residents, Danish Ahmad had visited his maternal home in Malikpora a day earlier. While returning home, he reportedly crossed a muddy patch near an electric pole when a live electric current suddenly spread through the area.
Eyewitnesses said the youth collapsed instantly after receiving the shock and could not be revived. Three other persons, including a woman passing through the area, also sustained injuries after coming in contact with the current.
The incident plunged the entire locality into mourning, with grieving residents blaming alleged negligence by the Power Development Department (PDD) for the fatal accident.
Locals alleged that damaged electric poles, exposed wires, and poor maintenance of power infrastructure had turned the area into a danger zone. They claimed that repeated complaints regarding unsafe electricity infrastructure were ignored by the concerned authorities.
“If the damaged wires and poles had been repaired in time, this innocent life could have been saved,” a local resident said.
Family members and villagers described Danish Ahmad as the only brother of three sisters and the sole hope of his financially struggling parents.
“He was the only support for the family and their future hope. His death has shattered the entire household,” another resident said.
Residents further alleged that four to five people received electric shocks after the current spread near the electric pole. They demanded immediate compensation for the bereaved family and strict action against those responsible for the alleged negligence.
Soon after the incident, teams from Police Station Villgam and Tehsildar Tarathpora reached the spot and initiated legal proceedings into the matter.
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The tragedy has once again highlighted growing concerns over the deteriorating condition of power infrastructure in several rural areas of Kashmir, where residents frequently complain about exposed wires, damaged poles, and delayed maintenance work posing serious risks to public safety.
