*Water supply too affected
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 17: People from different areas are up in arms against the Power Development Department (PDD) for imposing long duration and unscheduled power cuts. Due to power cuts, the water supply in many areas also remained affected, which added vows among the people especially women folk, who came on roads and held protest.
After protesting twice yesterday, large number of people from Jammu West constituency today again assembled near New Plot and held protest. They raised slogans against the PDD for not providing regular power supply.
The protesters also blocked the Amphalla-Janipur road against erratic power and water supply, as commuters struggled to reach their destinations due to a massive traffic jam.
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They burnt tyres and had a brief confrontation with policemen when the forces tried to end the demonstration.
Raising slogans against BJP MLA and State Unit President Sat Sharma, the angry residents did not allow any vehicle to pass the road during the nearly three hour showdown.
The protesting people alleged that on the one hand, the department is collecting tariff from them and on the other hand it is imposing long duration power cuts, which can’t be tolerated anymore particularly during the prevailing hot and humid weather conditions.
Due to power cuts the water supply is also getting affected thereby increases the woes of the people. This can be gauged from the fact that Public Health and Engineering (PHE) Department is compelled to regular issue notices informing people about non-supply of water for want of uninterrupted power supply to their pumping stations.
The residents alleged that the transformer installed in their vicinity got damaged and was replaced by the PDD, but again it got damaged.
Though senior police and civic officers initially tried to persuade the protesters to disperse, they had to resort to mild baton charge when the residents refused to budge. Some youth also pelted stones at the officials.
The officials added that the situation was brought under control after the protesters were assured that all their issues would be addressed.
Meanwhile, the residents of Pritam Nagar, Paloura rang up the Excelsior Office and communicated the problems being faced by them on account of unscheduled and long duration power cuts.
While narrating their problems, the residents namely Ashok Sharma and Subhah Manhas said that low voltage power is being supplied to their area, electric wires are outdated and needs immediate replacement and erratic water supply is also hampering their day to day works. They added that the sanitary staff of JMC never visits their locality except during festivals.
The residents of Patoli Brahmana, Barnai, Bantalab, Muthi and adjoining areas also criticized the Government for its failure to provide uninterrupted power supply.
The residents alleged that the power supply gets snapped during the night hours and the concerned officials switch off their mobile phones to avoid responding to the queries raised the people on part of unscheduled power cuts during night.
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