Woman electrocuted to death while switching on water pump, residents stage protest

BENGALURU: Residents of Anandapura staged a protest by blocking the Mysuru Road on Thursday after a woman who was switching on a water pump to collect water, died of electrocution early in the morning. The deceased was identified as Selvi.

The deceased Selvi and (right) the grieving family.

The protesters said none of the houses have drinking water connections and pumps have been installed here and there. Selvi died after she was electrocuted while trying to switch on a pump around 5.30 am, they said.

The Mysuru Road was completely blocked on both sides due to the protest. The protesters raised slogans against the BWSSB and vented their anger at Chamarajpet MLA and minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan, insisting that he should visit the spot. “The water problem has not been solved for years and they lodge FIRs against us if we ask for water connections. If we are given water connections, why would be have to switch on the pump?” they questioned.

Asserting that they would press on with their protest if justice is not served, the protesters said a few other people had died earlier in similar circumstances and alleeged that the authorities were not responding to their problems. They said they would not budge till minister Zameer Ahmed visits the spot and rejected talks with his personal assistant. “He comes only for votes, but people are dying here. Our problems should be solved and justice should be served for the woman’s death”, they insisted.

The minister, who arrived later, announced Rs 5 lakh relief for the deceased woman’s family, but they rejected it. Zameer Ahmed said he will meet the family on Saturday. Later, while leaving, the minister blamed the residents of the locality for allegedly drawing water illegally.