Protest against power failure in Rajouri, Poonch

Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Dec 14: People from the town held protest demonstration and blocked movement of vehicular traffic at Abdullah bridge for about an hour here today.
Residents from Bela Colony and adjoining areas came out on the roads and moved towards Abdullah bridge during mid day. They raised barricades near bridge and disrupted movement of traffic to lodge their protest against the Power Development Department.
The people were shouting slogans against the PDD authorities and demanding restoration of power. They alleged that in Bela Colony and other adjoining areas the power supply was disrupted for the last five days. Despite request to the concerned field staff, the electricity supply could not be restored. They said not only this the power remained disrupted in the entire area since last evening and the people were left to suffer during these harsh winter days.
They warned to intensify the agitation if the power was not restored and improved within a day or two.  Senior officials from the district administration and police then reached the spot and persuaded the agitating public to take up the issue with the concerned higher official. Later, the traffic was restored on the road.
Meanwhile, people from Paharanar and Gursai area of Mendhar in district Poonch also staged protest against the power failure in the area. The people  from nearby 3-4 villages came out on the road and held protest demonstration at local Grid Station. They were shouting slogans against the PDD authorities. They alleged that power supply in these villages remains affected for hours together and the field staff claims that load was higher in the belt. They said villagers are made to pay bills but adequate power supply was not being provided to them. They warned to intensify agitation and put a lock at the Grid Station.