BJP intensifies power cut protest in Odisha; activists scuffle with police in Berhampur

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday launched massive protests in different parts of Odisha alleging frequent power disruptions and unscheduled power cuts. Tension prevailed in Berhampur, Sambalpur and Bolangir with BJP activists scuffling with police during their demonstrations in front of Tata Power offices in these regions.

In Berhampur, the scuffle broke out after the BJP activists tried to storm into the Tata Power office during the demonstration today. “In the last two months, we do not know why the Odisha government is silent over power cuts. Not only in Berhampur, there are severe irregularities in power distribution across the state,” said a senior BJP leader.

The BJP leader said that the power distribution company is unable to clarify why there are such disruptions. “We are not getting desired response from the authorities,” said a protestor.

In Sambalpur, the BJP activists staged a demonstration in front of the Tata Power office at Ainthapali. The protestors blamed the state government for such a situation in the state.

Similarly, the BJP activists staged a demonstration in Kantabanji in Bolangir district against the erratic power supply in the region. The leaders said that it has almost become unbearable to lead a normal life due to intense heat wave conditions and the power cuts have compounded the miseries of people in different parts of the state.

The BJP activists took out a massive rally and later gheraoed the electric office.

“We are staging a protest over power cuts and the nexus between the Odisha government and Tata Power. Consumers who were earlier paying monthly bills of Rs 150 to 300 are now being forced to pay between Rs 700 and Rs 1,500. The company which has roped in manpower to collect arrears are terrorising people,” alleged a BJP leader.

Meanwhile, the Odisha government or Tata Power authorities could not be contacted over BJP’s allegations and protests.