Five pilgrims returning from Deoghar were electrocuted while two suffered burnt injuries as their vehicle dashed with an electric pole carrying high tension wire at Balumath in Latehar district of Jharkhand nearly 104km from the state’s capital Ranchi in the early hours of Thursday.

According to local police, the commercial vehicle had 19 kanwariyas (pilgrims who had gone to pay obeisance at Babadham in Deoghar) who were returning after offering holy water at the Babadham to their native place in Balumath when the vehicle collided with an electric pole carrying high tension wire at around 3.30am.

As a portion of the high-tension wire touched the vehicle due to the impact of the collision five of the pilgrims were electrocuted at the spot while two sustained burnt injuries and have been referred for advanced treatment to health centres at Ranchi.

The injured and the bodies of the deceased were taken to the nearest hospital.

Meanwhile, as the news of the incident spread in the area locals staged a protest on the NH-22 connecting Ranchi with Chatra demanding compensation and government jobs for the deceased persons, as all were residents of Balumath.

The blockade was removed later in the afternoon after assurance from the district administration about considering their demands as per provision of the law.

As per reports, the incident took place as the driver of the vehicle dozed off leading to his losing control and resulting in the mishap.

Latehar deputy commissioner Garima Singh said that the injured have been shifted to Ranchi health centers for better treatment.

“We have taken the written demands of the locals for compensation to the deceased for consideration,” said Singh.

Those who died in the incident included two minor girls Rangeeli Kumari (12) and Anjali Kumari (15), driver Dilip Oraon, Savita Devi and Shanti Devi. While those who have sustained injuries include, Chaku Yadav and Hanesh Yadav.