Shillong: Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited faces mounting pressure after three children died in an electrocution incident in Umtangling village. The tragedy occurred Wednesday at approximately 2 PM when an 11 kV power line snapped and dropped onto a path. John Paul Nonglang, 13, Hamepynshai Nonglang, 11, and 15-year-old Prainingstar Mawlong lost their lives.
Local officials accuse the utility of criminal indifference. The village headman filed a formal report about the hazardous lines on Monday. MeECL failed to act for 48 hours. The Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong Ri-Bhoi Mihngi, a union of headmen, now labels the deaths a preventable homicide rather than an accident.
Delegates PB Sylliang and Ailong Pariat met with Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Saini on Thursday. They submitted a formal memorandum demanding full restitution for the families. They rejected the idea of simple ex-gratia payments. Village secretary B Lyngdoh says the community remains in shock. He cited a history of ignored maintenance reports regarding sagging lines and faulty transformers.
Lyngdoh noted, "The concerns raised by the village were ignored until this devastating incident claimed the lives of three children." The union wants a clear timeline for an official inquiry. They also warned that aging infrastructure in Ri-Bhoi threatens other residents. Commissioner Saini acknowledged the demands as the investigation begins.
Comments