Lehra farmers barge into powercom offices

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, October 12

A day after farmers owing allegiance to the BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) began their indefinite stir in front of PSPCL offices over the frequent power cuts, protesters on Tuesday entered the offices in Lehra and didn’t allow any employee to enter the premises.

Trying our best

The shortage of coal has created the power crisis in the state. We are trying best to ensure regular power supply. — Kulraj Singh, PSPCL Executive Engineer

“The Punjab Government must ensure the required power supply to farmers. After PSPCL officers did not take the required steps to ensure uninterrupted power supply even after repeated requests, we decided to take control of their offices,” said Karnail Singh, a protesting farmer.

PSPCL employees tried to pacify farmers, but they didn’t relent. As a result, no work could take place at the PSPCL offices. “We will not end our protest until the required power supply is ensured,” said Harjinder Singh, press secretary, BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) Lehra block. Farmers are preparing for a long haul by making arrangements for food and tea and announcements on the public address system in various villages to mobilise more support.

PSPCL Executive Engineer Kulraj Singh said the shortage of coal had created the power crisis in state. “Our department has been working round the clock to arrange required power for farmers. Since morning, no work has taken place in our offices as farmers have taken control of all PSPCL division and subdivision offices,” he said.