Court orders compensation, public safety

SHILLONG, APR 21: In landmark judgment that would ensure public safety, the Meghalaya High Court has issued direction to the Meghalaya government and the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Ltd (MeECL) to remove high tension electric wire lines from public places and also pay adequate compensation to the family of late Anita Sangma who died of electrocution.

The high court said the directions must be adhered to within two months.

The court directive came on the basis of a writ petition filed by late Sangma’s father- in- law Skilinda Iawphniaw against the MeCEL  Sangma lost her life on February 2, 2012 because she tried saving a lady from the high tension wire but in the process died herself. She leaves behind two children.

Meghalaya high court justice SR Sen said passed an order on April 17 directing the Meghalaya government and MeECL to remove all high tension electric wire lines from the public places as well as from overhead of the residential houses. He also directed that the domestic lines or street light lines must be insulated to prevent such occurrence.

Justice Sen also directed the MeECL to strictly follow the safety measures of the Electricity Act 2003 and various rules frame there-under.

The petitioner’s counsel AS Siddiqui had submits before the court that 11, 000 volts high tension electric wires passed through the police reserve quarter where the petitioner stayed with his daughter-in-law and her two minor children. Due to negligence and carelessness on the part of the MeECL and the state government, the petitioners’ daughter-in-law had to die untimely death, he informed.

The petitioner made a representation to the state government and MeECL praying for the compensation for untimely death of his daughter-in-law but both remain silent, Siddiqui informed the court..

The court of Justice SR Sen said that after enquiry it was found that the government and the MeECL are least concerned about the life and property of the people of the state and are liable to pay adequate compensation to the petitioner for the death of her daughter-in-law due to electrocution.

The court order further said, “Out of the total amount to be paid as compensation, 60 per cent will kept in a fixed deposit in the name of the two minor children of (L) Sangma for their benefits and future education and 40 per cent be used for the immediate need of their education.”

The order also directed that payment of compensation should be cleared within two months failing which 12 per cent interest will be charged per month.- By Our Reporter