Two people were killed and 14 injured in Pratapgarh district after a tent erected for a meeting on Panchayati Raj election preparations came into contact with an overhead high-tension power line in Renanda village on Wednesday, police said.
Pratapgarh superintendent of police Vishal Jangid confirmed the deaths and injuries. The victims were identified as Mohan Meena and Arjun Meena.
The meeting had been called to discuss preparations for the upcoming Panchayati Raj elections and was organised ahead of a Congress campaign-related gathering. Around 150 to 200 people were expected to attend, according to the report.
Police said strong winds caused the tent to sway during preparations. As people attempted to hold the structure in place by gripping its structural pipes, the tent came into contact with the overhead high-tension line.
The contact with the power line led to the electrocution, killing the two men and injuring 14 others. The incident occurred before the meeting began, according to the report.
The injured were taken by ambulance to Pratapgarh district hospital, where they were undergoing treatment. The report did not provide further details about the condition of those injured or identify the extent of their injuries.
The incident highlights the immediate danger posed when temporary public gathering structures are erected close to overhead high-voltage electricity lines. In this case, police attributed the contact to the tent swaying in strong winds while people were trying to secure it.
The meeting site was in Renanda village in Pratapgarh district. The gathering was linked to preparations for the Panchayati Raj elections, which are conducted through Rajasthan’s local self-government system. No further details about the event’s organisers, the tent contractor, the electricity supply agency or any official action following the incident were provided in the report.
Police have confirmed the casualty figures and identified the two people who died. The injured remained under treatment at the district hospital as authorities dealt with the consequences of the incident.
