The police have reported that thirteen people lost their lives over the course of one year due to electric fences that were erected illegally to protect standing crops from wild animals in Maharashtra's Chandrapur district.
Of the deaths that occurred in the last 12 months, four victims were farmers, an official said. Farm owners have been installing electric fences illegally without following a proper procedure to protect standing crops in the district, which is home to dense forests, the official said.
As per a release issued by the police on Friday, people have lost their lives unnecessarily due to the illegal connection of electric wires around farms. At least 13 people have died in one year because of the illegal electric fences put up by farm owners and 12 cases have been registered under section 304 (culpable homicide) of the Indian Penal Code with regard to these incidents, the release said. Superintendent of Police Ravindrasingh Pardeshi has warned of strict action against farm owners who install electric fencing, it stated.