Valley News Desk

KNO Correspondent

Bandipora, Nov 03 (KNO): A daily wager working as a lineman in the Power Development Department (PDD) in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district has been awaiting compensation for the last more than 11 years after he was electrocuted while repairing a service line in August 2009.

Tassaduq Ahmad Lone (36) had received around 50 per cent burn injuries after he got electrocuted while repairing a service line in Chanapora village of Bandipora in August 2009.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), he said he lost two fingers including the thump of his right hand-which is completely paralysed and one finger of his left hand as well.

Lone said that the incident happened when he climbed on an electric pole to repair a service line. “In the meantime, the power supply was restored from the receiving station and I was electrocuted. I received more than 50 per cent burn injuries and my right hand is completely paralysed now and a finger of my left hand was also removed as it was completely damaged. I also had to undergo head surgery.”

Lone has been working as a lineman on a daily wage basis in the department since 2004. He has three small children and wife. His elder son is studying in 1st standard.

He said that the irony is that he is still awaiting compensation from the department even after the passing of more than 11 years. “I completed all the formalities and have submitted all the relevant documents to the Chief Engineer’s office but till date, I haven’t received any relief or compensation from the department,” he said.

Lone said he had to face many difficulties after he was electrocuted and he had no resources to even feed his family. “It’s been more around 11 years now when the incident happened but the department is yet to provide any kind of relief. I am a poor man and I have a family to feed. I am handicapped now but still, I am discharging my duties with dedication,” he said.

He said he has been running from pillar to post for the last 11 years to get compensation from the department but it does not seem to be bothered about his sufferings—(KNO)