A 37-year-old man died of electrocution on Saturday evening after accidentally coming into contact with a live electric wire in the mangrove forest near Suniti village under the Mahakalapada forest range of Bhitarkanika National Park.

The deceased has been identified as Nitai Manna, a resident of Suniti village under Tantiapal Marine police limits in Kendrapara district.

Live wire trap suspected during preliminary probe

According to preliminary investigations by forest officials, Nitai Manna had allegedly laid live electric wires inside the forest to trap wild animals such as spotted deer and wild boars. Officials said he may have forgotten to disconnect the power supply and later re-entered the forest, during which he accidentally came into contact with the live wire and was electrocuted.

The incident came to light on Saturday evening when villagers spotted Manna’s body lying inside the mangrove forest and alerted authorities.

Body recovered, tools seized

Forest and police personnel rushed to the spot soon after receiving information. The body was recovered and sent to the district headquarters hospital in Kendrapara for postmortem examination.

Mahakalapada Forest Range Officer Santanu Kumar Dalei said an electric tester and a pair of pliers were seized from the deceased’s pocket, strengthening the suspicion that he may have been handling live wires.

Family disputes forest department claim

However, the deceased’s wife, Jamuna, disputed the forest department’s version. She claimed her husband was a fisherman and had entered the mangrove forest to catch crabs, a common livelihood activity in the area.

She alleged that the live wires were not laid by her husband but by unidentified poachers who use illegal electric traps to kill wildlife in the forest.

Police register case, investigation continues

Sub-divisional police officer of Marsaghai Jyoti Ranjan Gouda said a case has been registered in connection with the incident and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact circumstances leading to the death.

Repeated incidents raise concern

Such incidents are not unprecedented in Bhitarkanika. In January 2018, a 25-year-old man from Balinangura village died after being electrocuted by his own live wire trap inside the national park. Another similar death involving a 35-year-old man from Jamboo village was reported in November the same year.

Forest officials have repeatedly warned against the use of illegal electric traps, citing serious risks to both wildlife and human life.