Tragic death in West Midnapore: electric shock kills man

A tragic incident has shaken the village of Sararnga in Dantan, West Midnapore, where the body of 20-year-old Sheikh Selim was found near a local pond on Saturday morning, suspected to have died from electrocution. The young man, missing since Friday evening, is believed to have been caught in an illegal electric trap set up around the pond to deter fish theft, sparking outrage among locals and allegations of murder from his grieving family. The discovery has led to heightened tensions, with police detaining three members of the pond owner’s family for questioning while the owner remains absconding.

The incident has raised serious questions about the use of dangerous, unregulated electrical setups in rural areas.Sheikh Selim, a resident of Anikola Gram Panchayat, left his home on Friday evening and never returned, prompting a frantic search by his family. Despite their efforts, no trace of him was found until today morning, when locals spotted his lifeless body near a pond used for fish farming. According to reports, the pond’s owner had rigged electrified wires around the perimeter to prevent theft, a practice that locals claim is both common and hazardous. Selim’s family alleges that he was electrocuted after his leg got entangled in the live wires in the dark, leading to his death.The victim’s mother, Nasima Bibi, was overcome with grief, claiming, “My son was killed by electric shock.” Her accusation fueled anger among residents, who gathered at the scene and initially resisted police efforts to recover the body, demanding justice.

The Dantan police, backed by a large force, eventually calmed the situation through dialogue and retrieved Selim’s body, which was sent to Kharagpur Sub-Divisional Hospital for a post-mortem. The autopsy is expected to confirm whether electrocution was the sole cause of death or if foul play was involved.The incident has spotlighted the dangerous practice of using electrified wires in rural areas, which police have declared “completely illegal.” The pond owner, now on the run, reportedly used these wires to protect his fish stock, a common but risky measure in the region. Three members of his family have been detained for questioning, and police are investigating whether the setup was deliberately used to harm Selim. An unnatural death case has been registered, with authorities stating that further charges will depend on any formal complaints filed by the family.

The tragedy has left the Sararnga village in shock, with many expressing fear over the lack of safety regulations in rural areas. Similar incidents, such as a suspected electrocution in Purba Medinipur or a fatal accident involving exposed wires in a Nadia field, highlight the recurring danger of makeshift electrical setups. Residents are now calling for stricter enforcement to prevent such hazardous practices, emphasizing that lives are being lost due to negligence and lack of oversight.Sheikh Selim’s family is devastated, remembering him as a vibrant young man with a bright future. The locals has rallied around them, but the incident has left a lingering sense of unease, with many questioning how such a tragedy could occur. As the investigation unfolds, authorities face pressure to deliver answers and hold those responsible accountable, whether the death was an accident or something more sinister. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for safer practices and greater vigilance to protect lives in rural West Bengal.