Tinsukia tea worker dies from exposed power line

Guwahati: Sonicharua Gosai died Saturday after touching a live, exposed wire at the No. 11 Line of Khowang Tea Estate in Talap, Assam. The 55-year-old man stumbled onto the hazard in Tinsukia district. Residents erupted in anger. They blame the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited for persistent negligence.

Local All Tea Tribes Students’ Association leaders claim they repeatedly asked the power company to replace the dangerous wire with insulated cables. The company ignored every warning. The union now demands 20 lakh rupees in compensation for the worker’s family.

"APDCL is solely responsible for this unfortunate incident. We have submitted memoranda several times seeking replacement of the open wire with cable, but our pleas have not been heeded," the ATTSA leaders said.

Talap Police Outpost officers arrived shortly after the incident to recover the body. They moved the remains to Tinsukia Medical College and Hospital for an autopsy. Investigators are now looking into the circumstances of the death. The ATTSA warned that if the state does not pay, members will carry the body to the Talap Bypass to block the highway.