(Eds: Incorporating related series)Jaipur, Nov 1 (PTI) The toll in the transformer explosionin Rajasthan's Khatulai village rose to 14 today, with ChiefMinister Vasundhara Raje ordering a high-level probe into theincident.
Union Minister and Jaipur Rural MP Rajyavardhan SinghRathore, who visited the affected families today, termed it a"tragic incident" and called for a thorough investigation.
A transformer had exploded in the Khatulai village nearShahpura town of the state yesterday, killing five persons andinjuring several others.
Medical Superintendent of SMS Hospital, D S Meena, saidnine persons, who had sustained severe burn injuries,succumbed while undergoing treatment at the SMS Hospital herelate last night.
"Women were performing 'Bhaat ceremony' (pre-weddingritual) when the incident took place. Five persons had diedon the spot and 22 others were rushed to the SMS Hospital. Outof the 22, nine more deaths, mostly that of women, werereported late last night. The casualties also include apregnant lady. Three persons were discharged and ten areundergoing treatment," DSP Shahpura, Bhag Chand Meena, saidtoday.
Rathore visited Shahpura town to take stock of thesituation. He also met with those undergoing treatment at theSMS Hospital and assured them of best medical care.
"It is a tragic mishap. Such a thing should not happen toanyone. Blast in a transformer is a matter of concern and allaspects of it should be investigated," he told reporters.
Governor Kalyan Singh prayed for courage to the bereavedfamily members who lost their loved ones in the mishap. Healso wished for fast recovery of the injured.
Jaipur district collector Siddharth Mahajan announced acompensation of Rs 10 lakh for kin of the deceased.
"The Jaipur Vidhyut Vitran Nigam Limited (JVVNL) willgive Rs 5 lakh to families of deceased and additionalRs 5 lakh will be provided through Chief Minister's relieffund," he said.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot called the incident"unfortunate" and said the explosion took place due tonon-maintenance of the transformer.
"It is a very unfortunate incident and a high-level probeshould be ordered to identify the people responsible for thenegligence," he said in a statement.
He also accused the BJP-led state government of notacting beyond ordering a probe and announcing compensation.
The Congress leader said the state government shouldreveal details of the money spent on replacement andmaintenance of equipment.
Rajasthan BJP president Ashok Parnami also met theinjured victims earlier in the day.
Meanwhile, villagers and local leaders protested againstthe electricity department for alleged criminal negligence.
The agitated families also refused to send the bodies forpostmortem, until an investigation was ordered and adequatecompensation announced.
PTI AGSRY.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.
