Shillong, Sep 16 : The Congress has demanded an inquiry into the death of MeECL lineman, Lathinson G Momin (59) who fell from
a 132 KV tower while repairing the line in East Garo Hills district.
Momin was taken to Nongalbibra CHC and referred to Williamnagar civil hospital. However, he succumbed to his injuries.
Congress spokesperson Zenith Sangma demanded that proper inquiry into the incident and submits a report within seven days.
He also demanded special operative procedures for employees who are in direct contact with transmission lines.
“I was informed that the deceased was working under annual management contract. The question arises that how an employee
of the MeECL can be used by a contractor for his work,” Sangma asked.
He said that incident has led to the delay in the restoration of the line to Tura and other areas as the deceased’s colleagues rushed to hospital along with him.
Meanwhile, the Songsak regional unit of the Garo Students Union has blamed the “negligence” of the Meghalaya Electricity Corporation Ltd (MeECL) for the death of a lineman yesterday
while on duty in East Garo Hills.
Lathinson G Momin died after being electrocuted and then falling from a pylon that he was working on.
“Such cases of accidents occur due to the negligence of the electricity board and it is necessary that the Power Department not compromise on safety measures of high-risk employees,” GSU
regional President Kenstar N Marak said in a press release today.
“We have witnessed the electrical staff working without any protection equipment while they climb the high towers without safety belts. It is not the first time that such an incident has occurred in Garo Hills,” he said.
The GSU wants the government to ensure that shockproof gloves, safety belts and harnesses are provided to those working on such jobs.
“We vehemently condemn the negligence by the electricity board and we urge the government to award an ex-gratia payment to the
family of the deceased,” the GSU said.
