Ramanathapuram (Tamil Nadu), Oct 1: Two children were electrocuted while playing near an abandoned water purification plant in this district, police said on Thursday.
The incident occurred on Wednesday while Niraimathi (9) and her brother Balapranav (6) from Achangulam, came into contact with an electrically charged metal structure at the now defunct facility.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay condoled the deaths of the children.
Police suspect that power leakage from a severed cable inside the structure caused the entire metal enclosure to become electrically charged.
Despite the potable water unit remaining non-operational for over six years, its electricity connection had not been disconnected, police added.
Following the incident, Kamuthi Block Development Officer (BDO) Chandrasekaran placed Panchayat Secretary K Rasu under suspension for negligence in maintenance of the facility.
The deaths triggered protests by distressed parents and relatives who blocked a road in Kamuthi, demanding strict accountability and legal action against electricity board officials for failing to sever the power supply.
The Abiramam police intervened and assured demonstrators that appropriate cases would be registered, after which the protest was called off.
CM Vijay offered condolences to the victims’ family and announced a solatium of Rs 6 lakh (Rs 3 lakh for each child) from the CM’s public relief fund. (PTI)
