Two people were killed and 30 others injured when a truck carrying kanwariyas came in contact with a hanging overhead high-tension power line at Bichgaon village in Rajasthan’s Alwar district on Wednesday morning, police said.
Police said three of the injured are said to be in a critical condition and are undergoing treatment at a hospital.
The incident took place during the Kanwar Yatra in Bichgaon village, Laxmangarh, around 7:30 am Wednesday.
A video of the incident surfaced on social media shows a group of devotees dancing, before several of them who were walking close to the truck suddenly collapse to the ground.
The electric current from the overhead wire hit several devotees, including women, within seconds. The devotees were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals, where two were declared dead. The procession was heading towards the village temple when the accident took place.
The deceased have been identified as Gopal, 22, and Suresh Prajapat, 40, both residents of Bichgaon.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, angry villagers staged a dharna outside Laxmangarh Community Health Centre, demanding compensation for the families of the deceased.
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After hours of discussion, officials agreed to provide financial assistance of ₹10 lakh to each family of the deceased. Of this, ₹5 lakh will be provided under the Ayushman Yojana and ₹5 lakh by the Rajasthan Electricity Department.
Following the incident, two employees of the electricity department – Junior Engineer Dinesh and technical helper Sonu – have been suspended.
Forest Minister Sanjay Sharma, the MLA from the Alwar seat, visited the CHC to meet the injured. He assured the villagers that every high-tension electricity line in the area would be made underground to prevent such incidents in future.
Parul Kulshrestha is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Rajasthan. A lawyer turned journalist, she brings a unique cross-disciplinary perspective to her reporting, blending legal precision with deep social inquiry to cover one of India's most culturally and politically vibrant regions.
Expertise and Experience
Legal-Journalistic Synergy: Parul’s transition from a legal background to mainstream journalism provides her with a distinct advantage in interpreting policy, legislation, and judicial impacts. This expertise allows her to "read between the lines" of government orders and court rulings affecting the public.
Diverse Beat: With years of experience across both mainstream newsrooms and independent journalism, she has built high-level authority in several critical areas:
Nomadic Tribes & Marginalized Communities: She is recognized for her sensitive and in-depth reporting on the struggles and rights of Rajasthan's nomadic populations, often giving a voice to those outside the traditional political spotlight.
Gender & Social Justice: Parul focuses on the intersection of law and gender, covering issues ranging from women’s safety and reproductive rights to the socio-economic empowerment of rural women.
Environmental & Political Reporting: She tracks Rajasthan’s complex political landscape—including electoral shifts and bureaucratic changes—alongside critical environmental concerns like water scarcity and land use.
Academic & Professional Pedigree: Her background as a lawyer, combined with her rise to the rank of Principal Correspondent at a national broadsheet, establishes her as a senior voice in the media landscape. ... Read More
