Woman electrocuted in field, two arrested

SIBTE HUSAIN BUKHARI
Posted online: Saturday , May 17, 2008 at 10:27:21
Updated: Saturday , May 17, 2008 at 10:27:21

Junagadh, May 16 A woman was electrocuted after coming in contact with a live wire fence at an agriculture field.
The incident occurred early this week on the outskirts of Rabarika village in Jetpur taluka. The police arrested two persons, including the owners of the land, on Thursday.

In their bid to save standing crops from cattle, farmers, especially in the Saurashtra region, erect fencing around their fields and rig them with live wires.

But many a times, this practice takes a toll on human life as well as on wildlife.

According to police sources, Kankuben, 50, a shepherd woman along with her husband and stock of cattle were camping between Rabarika and Kerali village.

On Tuesday, while coming back to her camp after selling milk, she accidentally came in contact with a live wire and died on the spot.

Later her husband Ghela Bharwad lodged complaint with the Jetpur taluka police under Section 304 (C) of the Indian Penal Code, a non-bailable offence.

Acting on the complaint, the police started investigations and arrested two persons, identified as Bhanu Khant – the landowner and his associate Leela Dhudha.

The two had reportedly put the electric fence in a bid to save their groundnut crop from the wild nilgais.

The two have been thoroughly grilled by the police and produced before the court of judicial magistrate (first class) jetpur town.

When reports last came in on Thursday evening, the hearing and submission before the court was completed and court's orders are being awaited.

According to the officials, it is strictly prohibited under law to pass an electric current through a fence.

But, in spite of forest department's intensified drive against such practices, it has been difficult to prevent farmers from doing so.

Last year, in an incident on October 19, five lions were electrocuted on the outskirts of Prempara village, just five kilometres away from the Gir east forest headquarters of Dahri town.

Source: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Woman-electrocuted-in-field-two-arrested/310655/