Five workers died after being electrocuted at a stone crushing factory in the Gadkura area under Dinhata Village 2 Gram Panchayat in Cooch Behar district on Sunday evening. The tragic incident left families in mourning as the victims lost their lives while working at the factory.
According to reports, the workers were moving a welding machine from one part of the factory to another after finishing their work for the day. During the process, the upper portion of the machine reportedly came into contact with an 11,000-volt high-tension electric wire that passed over the factory premises, resulting in severe electrocution. The deceased have been identified as Mukul Barman of Baisguri in Dinhata, Raju Sen of Okrabari, Mithun Pal of Burirhat, Suman Barman from the Boys Club area of Dinhata town, and Sanjay Barman of Shingijani in Bhetaguri. Three other workers were seriously injured in the incident and were admitted to Dinhata Sub-Divisional Hospital, where their condition is reported to be critical.
Following the incident, Cooch Behar District Magistrate Raju Mishra, North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha and Superintendent of Police Sandeep Karra visited the bereaved families late Sunday night. The minister said the matter has been brought to the notice of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has assured a compensation of ₹2 lakh to each deceased worker’s family and a government job for one family member.