Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Two Children Electrocuted at Abandoned Tamil Nadu Water Plant
Two children died after being shocked at an unused water plant in Tamil Nadu.
The children were a nine-year-old girl and her six-year-old brother.
They were playing near the plant when they touched metal that had become electrically charged.
Police think a broken cable allowed electricity to leak into the metal structure.
The plant had not operated for more than six years.
However, its electricity connection had not been disconnected.
The children’s relatives protested and asked for officials to be held responsible.
A local official suspended a panchayat secretary, and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay announced financial help for the family.
Siblings Niraimathi, 9, and Balapranav, 6, died after touching an electrically charged metal structure.
The incident occurred while the children were playing near a defunct water purification plant in Ramanathapuram district.
Police suspect a severed cable caused power leakage that energized the plant’s metal enclosure.
The facility had been non-operational for more than six years, but its electricity connection reportedly remained active.
Relatives protested in Kamuthi, while officials suspended a panchayat secretary and announced Rs 6 lakh in relief.
- Who
- Niraimathi, 9, and her brother Balapranav, 6, from Achangulam, died in the incident.
- What
- The children were electrocuted after coming into contact with a charged metal structure at an abandoned water purification plant.
- When
- The incident occurred on Wednesday; the reports were published on October 1.
- Where
- At a defunct water purification plant near Achangulam in Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu; relatives protested in Kamuthi.
- Why
- Police suspect a severed cable caused power leakage, while the plant’s electricity connection reportedly remained active despite the facility being unused for more than six years.
Accountability Demands
Official Response
Responsibility for the deaths
Accountability Demands
The children’s relatives demanded strict accountability and legal action against electricity board officials for failing to disconnect power at the unused facility.
Official Response
Officials focused on suspected cable leakage and maintenance negligence; the Kamuthi BDO suspended Panchayat Secretary K Rasu.
Response to the protest
Accountability Demands
Parents and relatives blocked a road in Kamuthi to press for accountability and legal action.
Official Response
Abiramam police intervened, assured protesters that appropriate cases would be registered, and the demonstration was called off.
- Victims
- Niraimathi, 9, and Balapranav, 6
- Location
- An abandoned water purification plant near Achangulam, Ramanathapuram district
- Suspected cause
- Power leakage from a severed cable energized the metal enclosure
- Facility status
- The plant had been non-operational for more than six years
- Administrative action
- Kamuthi BDO Chandrasekaran suspended Panchayat Secretary K Rasu for alleged maintenance negligence
- Family relief
- Rs 6 lakh from the Chief Minister’s public relief fund, or Rs 3 lakh for each child
- Protest response
- Abiramam police assured demonstrators that appropriate cases would be registered
