Patna: Three people, including a married couple, were electrocuted after coming into contact with a live wire that was allegedly used to fence a paddy field to protect crops from wild boars at Takiya Tola in Akta West Chakwa panchayat under Bairgania block in Sitamarhi district early on Saturday. Another villager also sustained serious burn injuries in the incident. Police and local officials reached the spot and launched an investigation into the installation of the live wire around the field.The deceased were identified as Mohd Islam Mansoori, his wife Rubaida Khatoon and Asmat Ali. Saif Ali, who suffered a serious injury in the incident, was admitted to hospital for treatment. The tragedy left six children orphaned. Islam and Rubaida were survived by four sons aged 14, 12, eight and six, and two daughters aged 13 and 11.According to police, the incident occurred between 3am and 4.30am when Mansoori went in search of his buffalo, which had strayed from home. While searching nearby fields, he allegedly came into contact with a live wire surrounding a paddy field and died on the spot.Police said when Mansoori did not return, his wife went looking for him. She found him lying in the field and, unaware that the wire was still live, approached him and was also electrocuted. After learning about the incident, Asmat Ali and other villagers rushed to the spot. Asmat too came into contact with the wire and died, while Saif Ali suffered severe burns.Bairgania police station SHO Arvind Giri said the wire had allegedly been electrified to prevent wild boars from entering the field and damaging crops. “Three people died after being electrocuted. Police are investigating the matter,” Giri said. Two dead wild boars were also found in the field, suggesting that the electric barrier may have killed animals as well.The incident comes two days after a similar case in Patna district, where two workers died after coming into contact with a live wire allegedly laid around a field in the Naubatpur area to keep wild animals away from crops. The deaths had triggered protests by local residents demanding action against those responsible.
