Unfenced transformer severs boy's hand
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 20 2017: With his left hand already amputated, a seven year boy is undergoing treatment in critical condition after he got electric shock from a power transformer .

What is even more shocking is, the right is also most likely to be amputated .

Themmarak Kamkara s/o Somi Kamkara of Nungbi Khullen but staying at Khamasom, Ukhrul underwent surgical operation at JNIMS today .

Youngest of five siblings born to his parents, Themmarak is studying in Class I at Oriental Naga Academy, Hargui Katek, Ukhrul .

As his left hand was festering rather than recuperating, it was amputated near the elbow .

As his right hand too suffered critical injuries, the same is also likely to be amputated after some days, according to the attending doctors .

Speaking to The Sangai Express, Somi said that his son suffered severe electric shock on September 6 as he went to attend an Edu Fest held at Ukhrul town where Education Minister Th Radheshyam was also present .

Unfenced transformer severs boy's hand

Though quite young, Themmarak often talks about his dream of becoming a police officer as a profession.

He went to attend the Edu Fest because he wanted to see and listen to Minister Radheshyam who served as a police officer before he joined politics .

As the event was progressing, Themmarak felt like urinating and he went to the western side of the town hall where an electric transformer is installed.

It was there that the he got severe electric shock .

He was first admitted to a nearby private clinic where he underwent treatment for three days before he was discharged .

But there was no sign of improvement on any of the two injured hands.

Subsequently, he was taken to Ukhrul District Hospital on September 15.But the doctors there advised Themmarak's family to take the boy to either JNIMS or RIMS .

He was taken to Imphal on the same day and they reached JNIMS at 10 pm.

But the boy was taken to RIMS as they were told that there was no surgery doctor at the moment .

The boy underwent treatment at RIMS for about two weeks.

Still there was little improvement, Somi recounted .

At the insistence of the family, Themmarak was discharged from RIMS and he was taken to JNIMS yesterday.

His left hand was amputated near the elbow at around 1 pm today .

The right hand was seen wrapped with bandage .

Somi said that the doctor advised amputation of the right hand too as it was festering rather than recovering .

As per norms, power transformers should be installed at least 10 feet above ground but no such safety measures could be seen as far as the high voltage transformer installed at the western side of Ukhrul town hall .

Moreover, there is no fence around the transformer.

If any such safety measures were put in place, the young boy would have never suffered such a tragic electric shock.

Power Department (MSPDCL) should be held accountable for the tragic accident, Somi said .

So far, MSPDCL Ukhrul Division EE had given Rs 60,000 to the family while local MLA Khasim Vasum gave monetary assistance of Rs 10,000, Somi said .

Saying that these monetary assistance turned out to be a big help toward treatment of the boy, Somi also conveyed gratitude to JNIMS Orthopaedics, Head Dr Ibomcha and Anaesthetist Dr Soreingam .

Somi said that he will approach the Court against the Government's reckless attitude.