Kolkata, February 9 A construction worker was electrocuted on Monday morning while working on the roof of a house in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal after coming into contact with a live wire, police said.
The incident occurred in Golabari, within the jurisdiction of the Shasan police station, they said.
According to locals, a high-voltage power line runs dangerously close to the roof of the house where construction work was taking place.
"The mason went up to the roof to work and accidentally came into contact with the high-tension wire. He died instantly," a police officer said.
Following the incident, tension gripped the area, with locals staging a demonstration.
They alleged that illegal construction was being carried out in the area and that repeated complaints to the administration had gone unanswered.
"This death could have been avoided. Illegal buildings are being constructed here despite our complaints, and the administration did nothing," a local said.
Police said that the body has been sent for post-mortem examination.
"Necessary legal steps have been initiated, and we are investigating the circumstances that led to the incident," the officer said, adding that the situation was later brought under control.