Apprentice electrocuted at Salem steel plant, family stages protest

Salem: An apprentice was electrocuted during training at the Salem steel plant, prompting his family and relatives to stage a sit-in protest at the entrance of the plant premises on Saturday.The deceased was identified as K Madhankumar, 22, from MGR Colony in Tharamangalam. He had studied diploma in electrical electronics and was undergoing training at the Salem steel plant’s iron smelter unit from February 21, for a one-year apprenticeship.On Saturday, his family received a phone call from the plant informing them that Madhankumar had been electrocuted and taken to hospital. However, when the family reached the hospital, they were informed that he had died. “He was thrown from a high-voltage electrical outlet, leaving his body charred,” said K Palani, a relative.His relatives held a blockade protest in front of the plant’s third entrance soon after news of his death spread. The plant administration called them in for talks, but no agreement was reached. Madhankumar’s family then began a dharna protest in the afternoon, causing a stir in the area.They demanded appropriate compensation for his death and action against the plant administration for negligence on its part. They also said they would not consent to an autopsy on Madhankumar’s body until their demands were met.Steel plant police held talks with the family and assured them of necessary action, after which they withdrew their protest.The body was later sent to the Salem Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College and Hospital for a postmortem.A case has been registered and further inquiry is on.