Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], August 18 (ANI): BJP spokesperson NV Subhash held Congress accountable for the electrocution incident which happened in the Ramanthapur area, Hyderabad, on Sunday night during the Sri Krishna Janmashtami procession.

He said that locals had complained about the hanging wires for many years, but the ruling party here took no action.

Speaking to ANI, NV Subhash said, 'The BJP expresses deep condolences to the family members of people who have lost their lives. It also demands that Congress make all the arrangements for the funeral and extend relief measures to the family members. It is a failure of the Congress party because the electrical department, which locals have complained about for many years, has loose contact and hanging wires in that area. It is so shabby that people in that area dare emanding that this may lead to some kind of chaotic situation.'

'BJP has given the memorandum many times, demanding immediate action against officials who have been negligent in that and extend all the facilities to the family members and demand some kind of ex gratia from the government of Telangana for the deceased,' he added.

Moreover, Sai Kiran, a family member of one deceased, said that 9-14 people got an electric shock, but five people died on the spot when they came in contact with live electric wires when the yatra was about to end.

Speaking to ANI, Kiran said, 'Yesterday night my cousin lost his life due to electrocution... As the yatra was about to end, there were some wires here due to which 9-14 people got an electric shock, but five people died on the spot.'

Eyewitness Jagadeesh also explained the whole incident about what happened last night. He said that the electricity wires came into contact with the rain and people, and they didn't get proper treatment in the local hospital.

'Every year, this Shobha Yatra happens, and this year also, when the Shobha Yatra was about to end, they were going to stop at the sangam. The electricity wires came into contact with the rain and the people. People tried to administer CPR and called for an ambulance, but it took too long. We shifted them in local vehicles and police vehicles to the hospital. They did not get the proper treatment in the local hospital. Later, when they were being shifted to the Gandhi Hospital, they lost their lives on the way only,' Jagadeesh said to ANI.

Meanwhile, the Telangana government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakhs each to the families of those who lost their lives in the electrocution, while also assuring full medical support for the injured.

Telangana Minister Sridhar announced that an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakhs would be provided to each of the bereaved families and that the Government would cover the entire medical expenses of the injured. The Minister called the incident extremely tragic and unfortunate and extended his condolences to the families of the deceased.

Preliminary reports suggest that the accident was caused by live current passing through a cable wire. Instructions have been issued for a detailed inquiry under the supervision of the District Collector, and strict action will be taken against those found responsible after the inquiry report is submitted.

A special drive has been ordered across Greater Hyderabad to review and address the risks posed by hanging cables and electric wires. (ANI)