5-member committee formed to investigate deaths from electrocution in Bogura

A five-member committee has been formed to investigate the deaths of five individuals from electrocution during the Rath Yatra, a Hindu religious festival, at the Seujgari Amtai intersection in Bogura district town on Sunday.

Saiful Islam, Deputy Commissioner of Bogura, announced that the committee, headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner PM Imrul Kayes, has been instructed to submit a report within 10 working days.

The committee included representatives from police, power division, fire service and civil defence and civil surgeon, the DC said.

Saiful Islam said they provided each family of the deceased with Tk 25,000 for cremation of the deceased and took measures for necessary treatment of the injured.

Earlier on Sunday afternoon, five people died and 43 others sustained injuries during the Rath Yatra in the area.

The deceased were Naresh Mohanta, son of Bhabani Mohanta of Kundugram village in Adamdighi upazila of Bogura, Atshi, wife of Monteswar of Tinmatha Railgate area of the district town, Ranjita, wife of Sudev of Gohail village in Shahjahanpur upazila, Alok Kumar, son of late Narayan Kumar of Kulupara village in Shibganj upazila and Jolly Saha, wife of Basudev Saha of Sariakandi upazila.

Saihan Waliullah, the Officer-in-Charge of Bogura Sadar Police Station, stated that the Rath Yatra procession commenced from Iskcon Temple around 5.00 pm. Upon reaching the Seujgari Amtala intersection, a fire erupted at the top of the Rath when it accidentally touched a high-voltage electric wire.

Five individuals sitting atop the Rath were electrocuted, while an additional 43 people sustained injuries.

Later, they were taken to Bogura Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College and Hospital and Bogura Mohammad Ali Hospital where the five people were declared dead.

Of them, 38 injured are receiving treatment at Ziaur Rahman Medical College and three at Mohammad Ali Hospital.