Asked to touch livewire,farmer electrocuted

A farmer in Jajjal village near here lost his life after allegedly being asked by two officials of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited PSPCL to touch a livewire in a field to see if there was current in it. The two assistant linesmen have been booked for causing death due to negligence. The incident took place on Tuesday morning. The deceased was Harbhagwan Singh 32. The owner of the field adjoining Harbhagwans had made a complaint to the PSPCL that there was current in the support cable of an electricity pole with high-voltage 11 KV lines. On site inspection,PSPCL officials Mithu and Kulwant allegedly asked Harbhagwan to touch the cable. As the farmer obliged,he collapsed due to the shock. Family members said Harbhagwan died on way to hospital. He is survived by his wife and a son.On the complaint of his brother Tarlochan Singh,the police registered a case under against Mithu and Kulwant on Wednesday,said Rama Mandi SHO Harbans Singh. PSPCL Superintending Engineer Jarnail Singh said a two-member committee would look into the matter,adding that departmental action would follow if the two were found guilty of the lapse.