Pathankot (Gurpreet Singh): Anger over frequent electricity disruptions spilled onto the streets in Punjab’s Pathankot district after residents from several villages gathered outside the Mangwal power station during the early hours of Tuesday, demanding uninterrupted power supply and accountability from the electricity department.
The protest began around 2 a.m., when people from nearly 10 to 12 villages assembled at the substation, alleging that prolonged outages have become a daily ordeal, particularly during the ongoing spell of extreme heat and humidity. Protesters accused the department of ignoring repeated complaints and failing to provide a lasting solution.
Local residents claimed that electricity is available for only a limited number of hours each day, disrupting household routines, farming activities and small businesses. They said the recurring outages have made life increasingly difficult, especially for children, senior citizens and patients.
The protesters also alleged that officials, including the concerned Junior Engineer (JE) and Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), remain inaccessible whenever faults are reported. According to villagers, repeated phone calls during power failures often go unanswered, leaving consumers without any information about restoration timelines.
Another major grievance raised during the demonstration was the repeated disruption of power supply during minor weather disturbances. Residents alleged that even brief spells of strong winds or storms lead to electricity being cut off in villages such as Shekhupur Manjiri, Tash Pind, Makhanpur, Barmal Jatta, Akhada, Killpur and nearby areas.
Demonstrators warned that if the electricity department fails to improve the supply situation, they would intensify their agitation in the coming days. They stressed that the protest was intended as a peaceful appeal but said public frustration was growing because of the prolonged crisis.
Police personnel reached the spot after receiving information about the gathering and monitored the situation to ensure law and order. The protest concluded peacefully without any reports of violence or damage to public property.
Officials from the electricity department were reportedly unavailable for comment despite attempts by residents to contact them. Villagers have urged the authorities to restore regular electricity supply at the earliest, saying consistent power has become essential amid rising summer temperatures.
