JHALAKATHI, Mar 18,  (V7N) — An elderly farmer died after being electrocuted by an electric trap set to kill rats in a paddy field in Neyamatpura village of Kanthalia upazila on Wednesday morning.

The deceased was identified as Abdul Majid Mallick (65), a resident of the village. His son, Kamrul Islam, said Majid had installed electric wiring in the field to protect crops from rats. While spraying pesticides, he accidentally touched a live wire and was critically injured.

Local farmer Alam Mallick discovered him lying unconscious in the field and rushed him to the Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Haran Chandra Pal, Officer‑in‑Charge (Investigation) of Kathalia Police Station, confirmed the incident. “A case of accidental death has been registered at the police station,” he said.

Authorities reminded residents of the dangers of using improvised electric traps in agricultural fields, noting that such practices pose risks to both farmers and passersby.

The tragic incident has cast a pall over the local community, with neighbors expressing grief at the sudden loss of the elderly farmer.

END/AIJ/RH/