Pioneer News Service
Ranchi
Two school students died and seven others were injured after a religious chariot came into contact with an 11,000-volt high-tension power line in Torpa, Khunti today. One of the injured students remains in critical condition. All the victims are students of Shri Hari Plus Two High School, Torpa. The incident took place during the school’s lunch break, leaving the local community in shock and mourning.
The accident occurred near the school premises, where a chariot (rath) for the Rath Yatra festival was parked adjacent to a local temple. During their lunch break, a group of students were playing near the chariot. Sources said that an individual asked the children to help move the chariot from one spot to another. While being shifted, the chariot came into contact with an overhead 11,000-volt high-tension power line, sending a massive electric current through the structure and striking the children.
Nanka Yadav, the father of Chandan (one of the deceased students), rushed to the hospital upon hearing the news. He stated that only the surviving children would be able to clarify exactly how the chariot came into contact with the live wire.
Chaotic scenes erupted immediately after the incident. Local residents rushed to help and transported all the injured children to the Torpa Referral Hospital. Two severely injured students, Chandan Kumar and Tejeshwar Mahto, were referred to the Sadar Hospital but succumbed to their injuries before arrival. Another critically injured student has been referred to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi for advanced treatment. The remaining injured students—identified as Rupesh Singh, Armaan Alam, Pankaj Ram, Giriraj Yadav, Sujay Lohra, and Nilay Ekka—are currently undergoing treatment at the Torpa Referral Hospital.
School Principal Kiran Herenj stated that many students usually go home for lunch, and she was unaware of how the children ended up at the temple site during the break.
James Kujur, the Executive Engineer of the Electricity Department, confirmed that no prior permission was sought from the department to move the chariot. He stated that the accident was caused by trying to shift the structure without safety protocols.
Expressing deep grief over the tragedy, former Union Minister and former Chief Minister Arjun Munda termed the incident deeply heartbreaking. He directed the Khunti district administration to ensure the best possible medical treatment for all the injured and to provide immediate assistance to the families of the victims.
