PANIC gripped the bustling commercial hub of MP Nagar in Bhopal on Thursday morning when a man scaled a high-tension electricity tower and began walking across the overhead cables. Spectators and commuters watched in horror as the individual performed highly dangerous manoeuvres on the power lines, resembling a circus performer. Upon receiving distress calls from eyewitnesses, MP Nagar police rushed to the spot and launched a tense, hour-long operation to bring the man down safely using a m u n i c i p a l hydraulic crane. The individual was identified as Shravan Kumar, 42, a resident of Harda. According to MP Nagar police Head Constable Sinku Singh Rana. Kumar was previously employed as a temporary worker at the Harda post office but was dismissed five years ago following the registration of a criminal case against him. Ever since, he had been struggling to secure his reinstatement.

 

On Thursday morning at around 10:30 am, Kumar arrived at the MP Nagar post office to present his grievance to senior officials. Frustrated after being denied an audience, he took the extreme step of climbing the high-tension tower. A major catastrophe was averted because power supply in the area was already suspended for pre-scheduled maintenance work when the incident occurred. Immediately after spotting the man on the tower, police contacted the electricity distribution company, instructing them to hold off on restoring power even if the maintenance work was completed. This swift co-ordination prevented the cables from being energised while Kumar was navigating them, eliminating the risk of instant electrocution. Police teams quickly cordoned off the area to manage the surging crowd and maintain order. For nearly an hour, officers engaged Kumar in conversation from the ground to distract him and prevent him from taking a fatal leap. Meanwhile, a hydraulic crane from the municipal corporation was summoned to the site. Rescuers positioned the crane platform beneath the cables, successfully reached Kumar, and brought him down to safety without any injuries.