Kendrapada, Nov 22 : The National Human Rights Commission sought Action Taken Reports (ATRs) from Odisha government officials over the electrocution and related injuries during the Gajalaxmi Puja at Kana Kasoti village in Odisha’s Kendrapara district.

Acting on a petition filed by Rights Activist Radhakanta Tripathy the NHRC issued notice to the Principal Secretary, Energy Department of Government of Odisha the District Collector and the Superintendent of Police of Kendrapara asking them to submit action taken reports within four weeks.

Tripathy in his petition stated that one Biswajit Lenka was electrocuted and 13 others were injured during immersion of the idol of Goddess Laxmi, on October 18 after the iron rod of the D.J. touched a low-lying live electric wire.

This is a case of negligence of the authorities who sanctioned the procession but could not visualise and prevent the fatal incident that caused death and injuries, he alleged.

Tripathy said the fatal incident could have been averted if the electricity department had taken care of the electric wires earlier and requested the Commission for a free, fair, and impartial inquiry into the incident and actions against errant officials.
The NHRC, he further said, should recommend action plans to check such fatal incidents in future, including compensation to the next kin of the deceased and free medical care of the injured