New Delhi/AgartalaAt least seven people, including two children, were electrocuted and 15 others were injured when Lord Jagannath’s chariot came in contact with a high-tension wire in Tripura’s Unakoti district on Wednesday. According to the police, the incident took place around 4.30 pm in Kumarghat area during the ‘Ulta Rath Yatra’ or Return Car Festival organized by ISKCON. During this festival, the sibling deities – Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Jagannath – return to their abode on a chariot after a week of Ratha Yatra.
What happened during Ulta Rath Yatra in Tripura?
Thousands of people were pulling the heavily decorated chariot made of iron, when it came in contact with a 133 KV overhead cable. Some parts of the chariot immediately caught fire and people fell on the road with burning bodies, police said. He said that fire services reached the spot and brought the situation under control. Assistant Inspector General (Law and Order) Jyotishman Das Chowdhary initially told PTI that six people died on the spot and 15 others suffered burn injuries, but later one more person succumbed to his injuries. Police said two children and three women were among the dead.
The injured were taken to Kailashahar and Kumarghat hospitals in the district and later seven of them were referred to GB Pant Hospital in Agartala as their condition was serious, he said.
PM Modi announced compensation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that this incident is sad. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) tweeted quoting him.
The accident that happened at Kumarghat during Ulta Rath Yatra is sad. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones in this accident. May the injured get well soon. Local administration is providing all possible help to the affected people: PM @narendramodi– PMO India (@PMOIndia) 28 June 2023
PM Modi also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured in the accident.
Rupee. The next of kin of each deceased would be given an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF. Those injured in the accident in Tripura will be given Rs 50,000: PM @narendramodi– PMO India (@PMOIndia) 28 June 2023
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha went to Kumarghat by train in the night and met the injured. Accompanied by Minister of State Tinku Roy, Saha visited Kumarghat Hospital and inquired about the well being of the people and assured them of all possible help. “In a tragic accident at Kumarghat, several pilgrims lost their lives and several others were injured due to electrocution while pulling the ‘upside down chariot’. I am deeply saddened by the incident. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family. Also, I wish the injured people a speedy recovery,” Saha said in a Facebook post. The state government stands by them in this difficult time.”
Such an incident has never happened before in the history of Tripura. I went to the accident spot and two hospitals. Seriously injured people have been referred to JB Hospital. A total of 7 people died and 16 were injured: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on electrocution deaths… pic.twitter.com/PlrZGNGsBm— ANI (@ANI) 28 June 2023
Expressing heartfelt condolences, CM Saha announced an immediate compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased, while those with more than 60% burns would get Rs 2.50 lakh. In addition, those with 40 to 60% burns will be given Rs 74,000, said the Tripura CMO.
Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath said he has directed the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited to investigate the incident and submit a report immediately. Leader of the Opposition Animesh Debbarma of Tipra Motha demanded strict action against those behind the lapse, which led to the accident.
“It appears that the incident took place due to lack of alertness of the local administration,” he alleged. State Congress and CPI(M) also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased. The state BJP on Thursday canceled all its programs and said its president Rajib Bhattacharya would visit the area.