2 brothers severely injured while working on new power line in Baramulla devastates family

Baramulla, Aug 2: Two brothers who were severely injured on June 27 while working on the installation of electric poles for a 33000 KV power line at Peerniyan Boniyar during the road widening, which left one of the brother right arm and toes amputated and another severe burn injuries has accused the contractor and the department of LJHP maintenance division of negligence and abandoning the victims.

According to official sources and an FIR lodged at Police Station Sheeri, the brothers, Imran Ahmad Khan and Javed Ahmad Khan were working under contractors Chowdhary Sandeep Singh Jath and Chowdhary Deepak Kumar Singh Jath, who had secured the contract for laying the high-tension power line under the LJHP.

The incident occurred while the duo was working on a pole connected with a stay wire. During the work, Imran Ahmad reportedly came in contact with a live wire, suffering severe electric shock injuries. In an attempt to rescue his brother, Javed Ahmad also suffered serious burns.

Both were rushed to SKIMS Soura in critical condition. Imran Ahmad Khan had to undergo amputation of one arm and fingers of his feet, while Javed Ahmad Khan is being treated for burn injuries and remains hospitalised.

Iqbal Ahmad Khan, while expressing deep anguish over the response of the contractor and the LJHP department said that despite clear negligence, none from the company as well as the LJHP department bothered to visit the grievously injured brothers neither provided and financial assistance for the treatment of the victims.

“Despite clear negligence, none from the contractor's side or the LJHP department has extended any financial help for their treatment,” he said. “We are a poor family and cannot afford these medical expenses. One of my brothers has lost his arm and toes, and the other is severely burned, family is devastated, yet no one has even visited us.” Said iqbal Ahmad Khan, the elder brother of the injured persons.

Iqbal urged the administration to intervene, fix accountability, and ensure adequate compensation is provided. “The incident has left two brother’s completely paralysed for life and the family has to take care of them throughout their life which is extremely tough for the poor family,” said iqbal.

When contacted, a spokesperson from Rajinder Infrastructure, the company executing the contract, said, that the police is investigating the matter and as contractor and for the company for which we are working there is no question of not cooperating.

“The Sheeri police has filed the FIR and started investigation. We are ready to provide help to the victims,” said Narinder, one of the spokesperson of the company.