Mangaluru: Following the death of Ashok D’Souza, a protest was staged against the negligence of Mangaluru Electricity Supply Company (MESCOM) by the assistant parish priest of St Sebastian Church, Permanur, Fr. Stany Pinto and locals on Friday August 17th.

The 28-year-old youth lost his life in Ullal on Thursday evening after coming in contact with a live wire fallen on the ground due to the strong winds.

The gathered protested against Ashok’s body being taken away and held MESCOM, revenue department and municipal council responsible for his death.

“The family is now ruined. The incident happened as electric cables snapped. Therefore Rs 25 lakh compensation should be paid to his family. Besides, the municipal council should construct suitable roads for the people here as the area comes under council limits. Minister U T Khader has promised highest compensation. Therefore, the department should provide the same,” said Fr. Pinto speaking with media and said that Ashok’s family is very poor and the deceased was the main breadwinner.

“It is raining very heavily here since the last five days. The revenue department is working round the clock. The death of Ashok was unfortunate. Therefore, I will recommend for special compensation from the chief minister for the poor family,” said Tahsildar Guruprasad and assured to pay Rs 5 lakh on priority to the family. He also assured compensation by MESCOM after investigations.

“Road cannot be constructed due to local elections. It will be constructed after elections and after obtaining survey numbers of the land and holding discussions with concerned officials,” he added.

“There are floods in Kolambe, Adyapadi, Pavooru and parts of Pavooru Uliya. People staying in low lying area should know that this is not ordinary rain. Water has increased on Thursday after 11 pm. As floods will increase in low lying areas, those staying in such areas should follow instructions from the district administration,” said Mr. Guruprasad.

“There are suspicions that the cable snapped due to the storm. As per the request of the locals, we will provide highest compensation possible. People should join hands with the department to prevent such accidents. People should avoid walking in flood water at night. The compensation will be handed to the family after the department receives the post-mortem report,” said Gayatri Nayak, deputy commissioner of Mangaluru City Corporation.

Evri and Monica D’Souza couple has three children of whom Ashok is the eldest. As Evri was sick, Ashok took up the family’s responsibility and looked after the family by constructing boats and selling tender coconuts.

On Thursday, Ashok received a call from his home and was on the way back home when the the incident occurred. As water had flooded half a kilometre from his house, Ashok started wading in the water. He was electrocuted when a live electric wire snapped and fell into the water.

Ashok’s family waited for him to turn up as he had told that he was on his way home. Though he did not turn up, his family pacified thinking Ashok must have stayed in a friend’s home due to rains. The incident came to light on Friday morning when some neighbours spotted his dead body floating in the water and informed the same to the family.

Municipal councillor Sunder Uliya visited the spot and informed MESCOM department and police.