CM Vijay Condoles Death of Siblings Electrocuted at Water Plant, Announces Ex-Gratia

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay condoled the death of two children who were electrocuted while playing near an abandoned water purification plant here and announced a solatium of Rs 6 lakh from the CM’s public relief fund.

The incident occurred on Wednesday when Niraimathi (9) and her brother Balapranav (6) from Achangulam came into contact with an electrically charged metal structure at the defunct facility, police said on Thursday.

Police suspect that power leakage from a severed cable inside the structure caused the entire metal enclosure to become electrically charged.

Despite the potable water unit remaining non-operational for over six years, its electricity connection had not been disconnected, police added.

Following the incident, Kamuthi Block Development Officer (BDO) Chandrasekaran placed Panchayat Secretary K Rasu under suspension for negligence in maintenance of the facility.

The deaths triggered protests by distressed parents and relatives who blocked a road in Kamuthi, demanding strict accountability and legal action against electricity board officials for failing to sever the power supply.

The Abiramam police intervened and assured demonstrators that appropriate cases would be registered, after which the protest was called off. The Chief Minister announced Rs 3 lakh ex-gratia for each child.