12-Year-Old Boy Electrocuted in Khordha, Villagers Blame Power Department

Bhubaneswar: A 12-year-old boy was tragically electrocuted at Kulantirasasan village under Balipatna police station limits in Khordha district on Sunday afternoon.

The deceased has been identified as Akshay Kumar Bhoi alias Bula, a resident of the same village.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred around 1.30 pm during heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. A live electric wire, which had reportedly been tied to a tree, snapped and fell to the ground.

Unaware of the danger, Akshay went to collect broken tree branches and accidentally came in contact with the wire. He sustained severe burns on his hands, back, and abdomen and collapsed on the spot.

A woman nearby witnessed the incident and raised an alarm. Villager Litu Bhoi acted swiftly, using a bamboo stick to remove the live wire and rescue the boy. Akshay was rushed to the Balipatna Community Health Centre (CHC) and later referred to Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar, where doctors declared him brought dead.

Following the tragedy, tension prevailed in the village as locals accused the electricity department of negligence. They alleged that the live wire had been left dangerously tied to a tree, putting residents’ lives at risk.