Two persons were electrocuted after coming into contact with an electric fence on an agricultural land at Venbavur in Perambalur district on Saturday.
The deceased were identified as M. Periyasamy, 62, of Vadaku Theru and K. Chellammal, 55, of Theruku Theru.
According to police sources, Periyasamy had illegally set up an electric fence around his maize field to prevent wild animals from damaging the crop. He reportedly used to switch off the power supply every morning. However, on Saturday, while attempting to turn off the electricity, he is said to have slipped and fallen on the live fence, dying on the spot.
While Chellammal, who owned a nearby field, later came to her land to spray pesticides, assuming the power supply had been switched off. She accidentally came into contact with the fence and was electrocuted as well.
The bodies were retrieved and sent to the government hospital for post-mortem. The Kaikalathur police have registered a case and are investigating.
