At least 10 people were tragically killed during the Ulto Rath Yatra, a religious chariot procession dedicated to Lord Jagannath, in Tripura and Odisha. The fatal incident occurred when the chariots came into contact with high-tension wires, resulting in electrocutions. Seven individuals, including three children, were burnt alive, while 20 others sustained injuries in Tripura’s Unokoti district. In Odisha, three people lost their lives in separate incidents in the Keonjhar and Koraput districts.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) organized the return journey of Lord Jagannath and his sibling deities in Kumarghat, northern Tripura. As the chariot made a turn on the national highway, its tip inadvertently touched an electric wire, causing the individuals who were in contact with the chariot to be electrocuted. A police officer present during the procession described the horrifying scene, stating that the victims were charred to death on the streets in front of their eyes. Efforts were made to extinguish the fire, leading to the arrival of fire tenders shortly after the incident.
Among the victims were Ruhan Das, his father Rahul Das, three middle-aged women, and two children, both aged 9. In response to the tragedy, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh for each deceased individual’s family and Rs 2.5 lakh for the injured. He ordered an inquiry into the incident, focusing on how such a tall chariot was allowed on the road and why high-tension electric lines were erected on the national highway. The Chief Minister acknowledged that no amount of compensation could truly alleviate the families’ loss but assured them of support to the best of the government’s abilities.
In Odisha, two individuals lost their lives and one was seriously injured in Keonjhar’s Kendua village when an iron chariot they were pulling made contact with an 11-KV wire. Another incident took place in Kolab, Koraput, where a 22-year-old youth was electrocuted and another person suffered injuries when a live wire touched their chariot. A member of the rath yatra committee filed a complaint at the Koraput sadar police station, holding the power distribution company authorities responsible for the incident. Investigations have commenced concerning both incidents.
It is essential to prioritize safety precautions during religious processions to prevent such tragic mishaps. Proper coordination between the organizers, authorities, and relevant agencies is crucial to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of such events in the future.
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