Six died and 16 injured due to electrocution during procession of “Ulto Rath”

By  Firstdespatch Desk   Jun 28, 2023

Agartala, June 28 (FD) At least six persons had died on the spot and 16 others injured, five of them critically after they were electrocuted today in the procession accompanying the chariot of 'Lord Jagannath' which was returning to Jagannath Bari Temple at Kumarghat in Unakoti district, police said.
Assistant Inspector General (Law and Order) Jyotishman Das Chowdhury said, “After the chariot's crest came in touch with the high tension power transmission lines the incident had occurred at about 2-30 PM and all the injured were initially admitted to Kumarghat sub-divisional hospital from where 9 (Nine) injured were shifted to Unakoti district hospital”.
Hospital sources said, five of the nine injured are critical
The Rath Yatra began a week ago and ended by ‘Ulto rath or Fira rath’ or return journey of lord Jagannath, which was held today.
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, who also holds the home and health portfolio, has started for Kumarghat by train from Agartala.
In a condolence on Twitter he wrote, "In a tragic incident, several devotees have lost their lives & some other people sustained injuries due to electrocution during Ulta Rath Yatra at Kumarghat today.
My deepest condolences to the bereaved families who lost their near and dear ones in the tragedy. In this difficult time, the State Government stands by the side of the affected families".
Youth Affairs Minister Tinku Roy and District Magistrate Tarit Kanti Chakma are camping at Unakoti district hospital and Animal Husbandry minister Sudhanshu Das is camping at Kumarghat to oversee the situation. FD JK