Irate people protest at Vijaypur, Durga Nagar

Irate people protesting at Vijaypur on Saturday. —Excelsior/Nischant
Irate people protesting at Vijaypur on Saturday. —Excelsior/Nischant

NH blocked over power cuts

Excelsior Correspondent

SAMBA, July 3: The irate people of Vijaypur protested against the Power Development Department (PDD) and blocked Jammu -Pathankot National Highway for sometime today.
The protestors included men and women who blocked NH for half an hour. Councilor, Nikki Mahajan, who led the protest, said that the unannounced cuts enforced by the Power Development Department (PDD) have made the life of the public difficult. He said that due to the power cuts, people are also facing water shortage.
The people of Vijaypur alleged that the PDD is only concerned with the recovery of their outstanding bills, but the Department is not worried about the regular power supply to the people. Mahajan said “Whenever we talk to any officer of the Department , they always make excuses”.
However, the ADC, Samba, Suram Chand along with SDM Chander Prakash Kotwal and other senior officials from JKPDCL reached the spot to pacify people and assured them that within a few days the problem of electricity will be solved.
Mahajan warned that if the power problem is not resolved even after the assurance of the SDM and ADC, then he will once again be forced to hold demonstration again, for which PDD and district administration of Samba will be responsible.
Meanwhile another protest was held at Durga Nagar, Jammu under the leadership of Roshan Lal Raina president Welfare Committee against power crisis.
Raina, while addressing protestors said the problem of power cuts is being faced for last fortnight and if the problem persists the lives of ailing and inform people can’t be saved.
He said fault takes place at Roop Nagar Grid Station often and no steps are taken to look into the problem by the Department. He said it is very difficult to pass the days in this scorching heat without electricity. He demanded M Feeder at Roop Nagar be segregated immediately.
Those who addressed the protest included Ravinder Bakshi, chairman of the Committee, Bansi Lal, Badri Nath, Avtar Krishan, M K Raina, R L Koul, C L Zuthsi, V K Pandita.