Firozabad (UP), February 19 Two people died from electrocution after a high-voltage power line snapped and fell on them here, police said on Thursday.
The incident triggered protests among locals, who claimed that the power line was in a poor condition and multiple requests for repair had gone unanswered.
The incident occurred in Ruhasi Patti village under the Eka police station limits, when cousins Pradeep and Bhupendra, both in their late 20s, were returning from the fields, they said.
According to police, an 11,000-volt overhead wire snapped and fell on the two men, causing severe electrocution that killed them instantly.
Angered by the incident, villagers initially refused to allow the bodies to be removed, alleging that the power line had been in a dilapidated condition and had not been replaced despite complaints.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Judicial) Abbas Naqvi and Tehsildar Ravish Kumar reached the spot and calmed the villagers, assuring compensation to the bereaved families.
Station House Officer Sanjul Pandey said that the administration has assured the victims' families Rs 5 lakh each from the government and Rs 5 lakh each from the electricity department.
A proposal has also been initiated to allot five bighas of land to the families and to relocate the 11,000-volt power line away from the village, he added.