A sad incident took place in Chennai where a young man lost his life while doing his job. The man was only 23 years old and worked as a labourer. His name was Samikannu. He was doing underground drainage work in the Anakaputtur area of Chennai. While working inside a drainage channel, he accidentally touched a live electric wire. Because of this, he got electrocuted and died on the spot. This news has shocked many people in the city. It has once again raised serious questions about worker safety, especially in jobs that are dangerous and require extra care.
According to reports, Samikannu was working for a private contractor. This contractor had taken the responsibility to lay drainage pipes in that part of the city. Samikannu was not an employee of the government, but he was doing work that directly affects public infrastructure. On the day of the accident, he went down into the drainage trench to check something. While he was working there, he came in contact with an underground electric wire. The wire was live, which means electricity was flowing through it. Because of this, he was electrocuted within seconds and died before help could reach him.
One of the most painful parts of this story is that Samikannu was not wearing any kind of safety gear. There was no helmet, no gloves, and no rubber boots to protect him. He was also not using any tools to check for electric wires underground. All these safety items are important when someone is working in a risky area like a drain. If he had worn rubber gloves or boots, the electricity might not have killed him. But because he had no protection at all, the current passed through his body and caused instant death.
People who saw the incident said they were shocked and helpless. Some locals tried to help him, but they could not go near him because of the fear of getting electrocuted themselves. The contractor had not arranged for any emergency help or ambulance nearby. This shows clear carelessness from those who gave Samikannu the job. They failed to follow safety rules. In fact, many workers say that they are often forced to work without proper tools, safety gear, or training. This is not just one case. Many such cases happen, but only a few are reported in the news.
Samikannu was a poor worker who came from a simple background. He had taken up this job to support his family. People say that he was a hardworking young man who never said no to any work. He just wanted to earn enough money to help his family live a better life. But the people who hired him did not care about his safety. They sent him into a dangerous place without giving him what he needed to stay safe. This is not fair. No one should lose their life just because they were trying to do their job honestly.
The police reached the spot after the locals called them. They removed the body and sent it for post-mortem. They also started an investigation into the matter. The police want to find out who is responsible for this tragedy. Is it the contractor who hired him? Or the agency that gave the contract? Or the electricity board that did not inform about live wires underground? Many questions are being asked now. The family of Samikannu is heartbroken. They say he was the only earning member in their house. Now they are left with pain, sorrow, and no support.
Government officials also came to the scene later. They looked at the place where Samikannu died. Some of them spoke to the local people and assured them that proper action will be taken. But such promises are often made after every accident, and not much happens later. The real question is why safety was not provided before the work started. If a proper check had been done for electric wires underground, this accident could have been avoided. If the worker had been given proper safety gear, he might still be alive today. All these things were ignored.
In India, thousands of workers work in risky jobs every day. Many of them clean drains, fix electric wires, lay pipelines, or work at construction sites. But most of them do not have proper safety equipment. Contractors often want to save money, so they don’t provide helmets, gloves, boots, or other tools. The workers are poor and have no choice. They do what they are told, even if it puts their lives in danger. This is why accidents like Samikannu’s happen again and again. There needs to be a strong law that protects workers from such unsafe conditions.
Some workers have started speaking out about this issue. They say they are always treated as if their lives don’t matter. Nobody gives them insurance. Nobody trains them before giving them dangerous tasks. In this case too, Samikannu had no training on how to detect electric wires. He did not even know there could be a live wire underground. This is why training is so important. Every worker should be told about the risks of the job. They should be taught how to protect themselves. If this had been done for Samikannu, his life might have been saved.
Safety gear is not just for show. It is the only thing that stands between life and death in dangerous jobs. A helmet can save a worker from head injury. Gloves and boots can protect from electric shock. A harness can stop a fall. All these things cost money, but they save lives. It is the duty of the employer to give this gear. If they don’t, they should be punished. In Samikannu’s case, no one gave him anything. Not even the most basic rubber gloves. This is a shameful failure that needs strong punishment and clear justice.
After the death of Samikannu, some local people blocked the road and protested. They shouted slogans and demanded action against the contractor. They also asked the government to pay compensation to the victim’s family. A few officers tried to calm them down and said the family will get help. But people said that help is not enough. What about other workers still doing similar jobs? Will they also die like this? Will their families also cry and protest? Unless strong action is taken now, this cycle will continue. Poor workers will keep dying while others look away.
The news of Samikannu’s death was covered by some TV channels and newspapers. But such news often gets forgotten in a few days. People move on, and the same mistakes are repeated again. To stop this from happening, the government must set strict rules for all agencies and contractors. No work should begin without a safety check. No worker should be sent to dangerous places without gear. There should be regular inspections. If a company breaks the rules, it should be banned or fined. Only then can workers like Samikannu be safe and feel valued.
This tragic incident should become a lesson for all. Not just for contractors and government officers, but also for society. We need to respect the work done by labourers. They keep our cities clean and functional. They build our roads, lay our pipes, and fix our drains. Without them, the city would stop working. Yet they are treated badly, paid less, and sent into danger. This must change. Every worker deserves dignity, safety, and fair pay. It is our duty to raise our voice when we see unsafe practices. Silence and ignorance only lead to more deaths.
The family of Samikannu is now left with grief and emptiness. They lost a son, a brother, and the person who supported them. His death could have been prevented with just a few simple steps—safety gear, training, and care. But those were denied to him. This must not happen again. All workers must be treated with care and respect. No one should die just because they were doing their job. Samikannu’s story should be remembered, not forgotten. It should be the reason why rules are changed and safety becomes a top priority for all dangerous jobs.
This was not an accident—it was negligence. It was the result of people ignoring safety to save money and time. It shows how the system often fails the poor. But it can be fixed. Strong laws, responsible employers, active inspections, and awareness can save lives. If we want to honour Samikannu’s memory, we must make sure no other worker dies like this. His death should become a turning point. A moment when the city says, “Enough is enough.” Only then can we build a future where workers are not just used—but protected, valued, and respected.