Incident Overview
On June 19, two cows were electrocuted after coming into contact with an illegally electrified barbed wire fence surrounding a green gram field in Tara village, Palamu district. The police have lodged a case against the farmer responsible for the fence.
Details of the Electrocution
The field belongs to Asfak, a resident of Tara village, who had erected the fence to protect his crop from stray and wild animals. According to Haidernagar police station officer in-charge T Mannan, “The fence was electrified by illegally hooking from a nearby electric pole.” The electrified fence killed two cows owned by Raseedan Bibi and Najmun Bibi of Parta hamlet.
Legal Action and Investigation
Following the deaths, the two women filed a complaint at Haidernagar police station, leading to a case being registered on June 19. “We have started an investigation,” Mannan said. Hussainabad SDPO Divyansh Shukla added, “The matter is being looked into.”
Context of Farmer Practices
Sources indicate that farmers in Palamu often face challenges protecting standing crops from monkeys, wild boars, nilgai, and stray cattle. This prompts many to install fencing and other deterrent measures. However, in this instance, the accused allegedly electrified the fence without authorization. Green gram, a short-duration cash crop maturing in 60–70 days, is widely cultivated in both kharif and rabi seasons in the region.
