Kota: A 30-year-old woman was killed and nine others, including three children and four women, suffered burn injuries after an insulator on a Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (JVVNL) high-tension power line came loose and electrified houses below it in Kota’s Barda Basti on Sunday afternoon. Two cows were also killed.The incident occurred around 12.30 pm on Crusher Road under Anantpura police station limits, officials said. Residents said walls, electrical fittings and appliances in the houses suddenly became live, forcing people to rush out.Circle Inspector Ramesh Kavia said an insulator on the high-tension line passing over the houses dislocated from an electric pole with a loud blast, triggering the electrification.The deceased was identified as Salma, wife of Ashfaq. The injured were identified as Bhuribai (25), Ayodhyabai (48), Seema Kanwar (35), Nashveen (50), Irshad Bag (60), Ashfaq (33), Arshil (9), Joya (14) and Alia (12).Police and JVVNL officials reached the spot after being alerted, cut power supply to the basti and took the victims to New Medical College Hospital. Salma was declared brought dead, while the others were admitted for treatment. None of the injured is in critical condition, Kavia said.Police have registered a case under Section 194 of the BNSS to investigate the cause of the incident. Salma’s post-mortem was underway before the body could be handed over to her family for last rites, the CI said.JVVNL Kota Superintending Engineer Shivcharan Jangid said Barda Basti is surrounded by mining activity and stone fragments from the work may have struck and damaged the insulator, leading to the electrification.He said the affected houses had been built illegally on forest land and had enclosed the high-tension power tower within their yards. A high-level inquiry will be conducted, he said, adding that the damaged line had been repaired and power supply restored in the area.
