Schoolgirl dies of electrocution

PATNA: A Class I girl student of an upgraded secondary school at Jale in Darbhanga was electrocuted after she touched the iron gate of her classroom around 1pm on Friday. A damaged live wire had come in contact with the iron gate, police said.
The victim was identified as Chanchala Kumari (8), a resident of Jale. Her father Bharat Jha owns a small shop selling salt, candles and matchboxes.
Chanchala’s six classmates and a teacher, Sunita Kumari, were injured as they received electric shocks while trying to save her.
Shockingly, Darbhanga district education officer Mahesh Prasad Singh has blamed rats for the incident. “It seems the electric wire was nibbled by rats. The damaged part of the wire came in contact with the iron door of the classroom which Chanchala touched,” he said.
Singh said the injured schoolteacher and six students were rushed to hospital where their condition is stated to be stable.
Meanwhile, Darbhanga DM (incharge) Tanai Sultania said action would be taken against erring officials.