Residents in Majhauli had warned local police about low‑hanging high‑voltage wires that could endanger processions, but no action was taken.
At 12.04 am, a tractor towing a Durga idol from Civil Line Path to the Narili Pond was struck when a high‑tension line snapped after a procession participant used a stick to guide the vehicle, causing the line to fall onto the tractor and shock six people.
Officer Mohanti Maravi said a case has been registered under Section 304A for negligence and a post‑mortem is underway at the district forensic lab. The incident triggered a road blockage by local residents that was later resolved through dialogue.
The procession, drawn by more than 50 devotees, is part of the annual Navratri tradition that culminates in the immersion of the Durga idol in Narili Pond, a ritual performed every year since 1975.
Authorities have pledged to inspect all low‑hanging power lines in the district and to enforce stricter safety protocols for future religious processions, with the investigation expected to conclude by month‑end.