Mizoram: SDO suspended over lineman’s death

Aizawl: The Mizoram government on Friday suspended a Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) under the state Power and Electricity Department over the death of a lineman, who was a muster roll employee in the department.

The lineman, identified as Francis Rochungnunga (30), was electrocuted to death on Thursday while he was fixing electrical wires.
The incident took place in Lawngtlai town in the southern part of the state at around 4 pm.

People familiar with the incident said the victim came in contact with a high-voltage power line, which he was repairing when a man on duty suddenly switched on the power line from the control room.
The victim succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
A government order issued by Department of Power and Electricity Commissioner and Secretary H Lalengmawia on Friday said the SDO in Lawngtlai Power Sub-Division has been suspended with immediate effect.

The order said that she would be entitled to subsistence allowance equal to her leave pay during her suspension.
The incident sparked outrage with the Young Lai Association (YLA), the largest civic organization of the Lai people in Lawngtlai district, protesting on Thursday evening and claiming responsibility for the incident. Demanded action against officials.
Meanwhile, Power Minister R Lalzirliana said the employee on duty in the control room would be sacked if the muster roll was employed.

He told reporters that an investigation has been initiated and disciplinary action will be taken against the officials responsible for the accident.
In October, at least three civilians were electrocuted in the same district when they helped power and electricity officials fix power lines.