Preventing Shocked Death Cases In Recurrence Rice Fields, Kudus Regency Government Bans Electric Rat Traps

JAKARTA - The government of Kudus Regency, Central Java, has banned farmers from using rat traps with electricity following the death of a resident of Gamong Village, Kaliwungu District, who was electrocuted in the rice fields on Friday morning.

"This method is considered to endanger the safety of the community, especially for those who do not know its whereabouts. This is for the sake of mutual safety," said Kudus Regent Sam'ani Intakoris in response to the case of the death of a resident of Gamong Village, Kaliwungu District, as a result of being electrocuted in a rice field area in Kudus, Friday.

He encouraged the sub-district heads to coordinate with the local police chiefs and Danramil to provide education to farmers so that they no longer use electric traps. They are advised to switch to a safer and more environmentally friendly method.

"It is better to use a drug or rat poison that has been recommended by the Agriculture Service. This method is safer because it can eradicate rats without destroying the balance of nature," he said.

Head of Kaliwungu Kudus Sub-district, Satria Agus Himawan, added that his party had also conveyed a ban on farmers from using electricity in eradicating rats in rice fields, following the death of a resident of Gamong Village, Kaliwungu District, due to being electrocuted in a rice field area in the early hours of Friday.

In addition, he said, the Kudus Regency Government also encourages farmers to take advantage of the method of controlling rat pests on a biological basis, such as using owls and grupyokans together to suppress the mouse population without causing negative impact on the environment.

The case of the death of Eka Dimas Riyadi (18) on Friday (12/9) at 02.30 WIB occurred when the victim and four of his colleagues who were also students came to the Gamong Village rice fields to take pictures in rice fields decorated with colorful lights. However, at that location there is also an electricity that is usually installed by farmers to dispel rat pests.

When the photo session took place, the victim did not realize that his leg was stepping on an electric cable. Instantly the victim was stung and fell. His panicked friend immediately sought help from residents.

After the electricity was turned off, residents evacuated the victims to the edge of the rice fields, but their lives could not be saved.

Kapolsek Kaliwungu AKP Deni Dwi Noviandi confirmed that there were victims who died due to being electrocuted by electricity used by farmers as rat traps on Friday (12/9) in the morning.

"This case is now being handled by the Police for further investigation," he said.

Based on the testimony of a number of witnesses, he said, on Thursday (11/9) at around 20.00 WIB, the victim initially gathered with four friends at the victim's house to do the task of the campus paper. After the assignment was completed, at around 00.30 WIB, the victim and his four friends chatted on the terrace of the house.

That's when the victim took his friends out to see a place that was considered beautiful. His four friends refused, but the victim continued to persuade one of his friends until he finally agreed to accompany him. Before leaving, the victim borrowed his friend's cellphone to be used for pictures.

The victim and his friend then went to the rice fields which were seen having lights. Meanwhile, the victim's friends did not know that the lights were a voltaged electrical installation installed in the rice fields. When the victim asked for a photo, the victim walked back and forth in the rice fields that were flowed by an electric current.

Moments later, the victim's leg slipped and his body fell back into the rice field area. The victim's friend immediately asked for help even though the victim eventually died.

Based on the results of the external examination (visum et repertum/VER) carried out by dr. Agung from Sidorekso Health Center, a number of burns were found on the victim's body, including the inner thigh of the right, left inner thigh, left foot sole, right foot sole, left arm, lower waist, as well as several abrasions on the back, waist, buttocks, and left calf.