Howrah: A migrant labourer, Montu Bardoloi (36), died on Friday morning after he accidentally came in contact with a chain of colourful lights hanging from a building on on Chandmari Road near a Hooghly ghat, adjacent to Howrah station.
The incident sparked tensions in the area, with the locals accusing police of lack of surveillance and negligence. Police denied the allegation. The caretaker of the building, from which the lights were hanging, have been detained for questioning.
Bordoloi had just taken a dip in the Hooghly and was on his way to work, when he touched the hanging wire. People standing nearby shouted out for help and cops in the Howrah station area rushed to rescue him, but no one could reportedly disconnect the power supply. Bordoloi reportedly remained electrocuted on the road for over half an hour. Only after CESC personnel arrived and disconnected the power supply did police took him to Howrah District Hospital, where he was declared dead. DC North Bishop Sarkar said, "Preliminary investigations show Bordoloi was electrocuted. A resident of West Midnapore, he had come to Howrah in search of work. He had taken a bath in the river and was on his way to the work site when the incident took place."
North Howrah legislator Gautam Choudhury said, "Such Chinese-make electrical chains are hung from houses and trees. The insulation of these electrical chains are often cracked, leading to accidents, albeit most of them minor, during festivals. A major incident occurred, resulting in the loss of a life. I want police to arrest the culprits."