Excelsior Correspondent
-Excelsior/ Bhat
RAJOURI, Jan 15: Peeved over the apathy of Power Development Department (PDD), Thannamandi (M&RE Sub Division) staff, the people from Manyal Gali and adjoining hamlets removed the damaged transformer from the village and placed it on Thannamandi-Bafliaz-Poonch road and held protest against PDD and local Administration.
The angry villagers including Panchayat members were shouting slogans against PDD AEE, Executive Engineer, SDM Thannamandi and DC Rajouri. They alleged that transformer of the village went out of order about two months back. Nearly 350 families of the area are dependent on this transformer. The field staff of the area and even JE were requested several time to get it repaired or replace but they ignored. The village Panch contacted AEE on phone recently and requested him but he too, showed non-concern and even behaved rudly with him. The people alleged that their children were studying during night hours with the help of kerosene lamps.
Another villager Shadi Khan said that even a field staffer of the area collected Rs 100 per family to lift the transformer and get it repaired but it was later told that it could not be repaired. Victimized and duped by the M&RE staff, the people then were compelled to lift this heavy transformer and place on the road to lodge their protest today. They raised barricades at Manyal Gali and disrupted movement of traffic from 9 am to 12.30 pm. Tehsildar Thannamandi and SHO along with cops reached there but the people refused to lift dharna.
Later, the Tehsildar Thanna-mandi Dr Abdul Kabir spoke to the Executive Engineer M&RE Rajouri who assured to install new transformer within three days. Then agitating people lifted dharna and ensured movement of traffic on the road. A large number of vehicles remained stranded on the road for three and half hours.
The agitating villagers urged the State Governor, Mr Vohra to take serious note of the matter and taker strict action against the erring staff.
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