Today (6 December 2025), in the Purmandal area of Samba district, Jammu & Kashmir, lineman Raj Kumar (54, resident of Motlian Kalan, a daily-wager with the PDD) and his labour helper Angrez Singh (35, resident of Mandal) died a painful death due to electrocution while straightening an electric pole. Both received severe electric shock from a high-tension (HT) line, fell unconscious, and were declared dead at GMC Jammu after initial treatment at PHC Purmandal.
This is not the first incident of electrocution in Samba Distt.
Previous Similar Incidents
- July 2015: Lineman Lachhu (Sham Lal), aged 45, from Kehli Mandi, Samba, was electrocuted while working on a line in the SIDCO industrial area. He died on the spot due to electric shock. Locals protested heavily.
- Several other cases have been reported in Samba and nearby areas in recent years (2023, 2024, and even another incident near Basantar Bridge in 2025) where linemen or helpers lost their lives to electrocution.
Where are the loopholes? Why do these accidents keep happening?
The majority of such fatalities occur due to clear violations of basic electrical safety protocols. In this latest case, the following critical failures appear to have taken place:
- No Proper Shutdown / Isolation of the Line
The biggest red flag: It appears that the HT line was not shut down, de-energised, and properly earthed before work began. Working on or near a live 11 kV or 33 kV line or ordinary line of household without confirmed shutdown is the leading cause of lineman deaths in India (responsible for ~70–80 % of cases). - Non-usage or Absence of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Insulated gloves, rubber boots, safety belts, and helmets are mandatory for HT work. Almost all daily-wagers and casual helpers (like Angrez Singh) or permanent workers are sent to assist are neither issued proper PPE nor trained to use it. - Untrained/Unqualified Helper on HT Work
Angrez Singh was a civilian labourer, not a certified lineman. Sending untrained persons to work on live or recently live lines is a gross violation of the Indian Electricity Rules and CEA Safety Regulations. Even if there are trained person, proper kit is not available. - Lack of Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO) Procedure
Standard protocol requires the circuit to be locked out and tagged at the substation/feeder pillar with clear warning tags. This step is routinely skipped due to pressure to restore power quickly or shortage of staff. - Poor Supervision and Risk Assessment
No job safety analysis or permit-to-work system appears to have been followed.
What needs to change immediately?
- Strict enforcement of shutdown and LOTO before any HT/LT maintenance.
- Mandatory certified PPE for everyone on site — no exceptions for daily-wagers.
- Only trained and authorised personnel allowed on poles or near live lines.
- Regular safety audits and refresher training for all PDD/JPDCL staff.
- Immediate ex-gratia (₹20–30 lakh) and government job for one family member of the deceased, as demanded by locals.
These deaths are almost entirely preventable. Repeated incidents in the same district show systemic negligence that must be fixed urgently.
Author ✍️
Editor Samba Times
