A 19 year old boy died after being electrocuted in Rangblang Pombriew village, South West Khasi Hills district today.
The body of Jimwilson Thongni was found lying near an electric pole by children who had gone to collect chestnuts from a nearby jungle area.
The family had immediately rushed him to the Nongstoiñ Civil Hospital but succumbed to his injuries. An inquest was conducted by police in Nongstoiñ and his body was handed over to the family, after they had sought exemption from post mortem.
Police said an FIR is yet to be filed by the family.
While police confirmed that he was electrocuted and that the reason was unknown, villagers have blamed the MePDCL, in Mawkyrwat for poor maintenance of electric pole or negligence.
Secretary of Rangblang, Bokstone Thongni said the village is filled with old, rusted, ill-maintained poles weighed down by a maze of cables.
He said the dorbar had several times urged the MePDCL to urgently replace the rusted and damaged poles but no action has been taken so far.
The secretary stated that the electric pole installed near the residence of the boy was unsafe as carcasses of squirrels and rats were found beneath the pole.
