A 10-year-old schoolboy in South Dinajpur got injured after coming in contact with a high-tension power cable on Friday afternoon, leading to protests in the area since then.

Residents have alleged that the electric cable passed over the building of Junglepur Primary School in Balurghat block and students like the injured Rohit Oraon are at risk.

Sources said Rohit, a Class IV student of the school, climbed onto the roof of the school with some others to collect jackfruit from a tree next to the building. While trying to grab the fruit, he touched the power cable and fell to the ground.

Teachers and others rushed him to the super-specialty hospital in Balurghat where he is reportedly critical.

As the news spread, residents rushed to the school and resorted to protests.

“The high-tension cable passes over the school building. We have time and again asked the school authorities to take up the issue with the state power department so that the cables are shifted from there and passed from elsewhere. But they have not listened to us. We are concerned about the safety of our children,” said protester Anukul Bhakta.

School authorities, when asked about the issue, said they had approached the officials of the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL).

“The officials have not taken any step so far. We will approach them again,” said headmaster Omprakash Mishra.

Subhamoy Sarkar, the divisional manager of WBSEDCL in Balurghat, said that they were aware of Friday’s incident and were extending all help to the boy’s family.

“The cable will be shifted soon. Also, an inquiry into the incident has been initiated,” Sarkar said.