Labour unrest in DISCOMS brought Bihar on the brink of blackout

Several senior officials have been injured in the unrest

The labour unrest in the power distribution companies (DISCOMs) of the state government has turned ugly. Several senior officials have been injured in this unrest and it has brought Bihar on the brink of another massive blackout within 48 hours.

The employees and engineers of the South Bihar Power Distribution Company and the North Bihar Power Distribution Company have threatened to go on an indefinite strike unless the state government announces immediate removal the chief executive Sanjay Agarwal. The employees accuse the IAS official of abusing the authority and using fowl language. Earlier on Friday, the Police had a field day controlling the agitated employees, who blocked the main gate of Vidyut Bhawan, the headquarters of the DISCOMs. The standoff turned ugly and employees begun to brick bat and Police had to resort to batons and tear gas shells to control them.

This led to a flash strike and the whole state plunged into darkness. Later on the assurance of the Energy Minister, Vijayendra Yadav, the employees deferred the strike till Monday.

Due to the blackout, people had a harrowing time from Friday evening till wee hours of Saturday.

The drama continued on Saturday, when employees gheraoed senior officials of the energy department and beat up some of them. At least 5-6 senior management members were injured on Saturday.

One of the General Manager rank officials had to be admitted in the Patna Medical College Hospital in a serious condition.

Union representatives told Business Standard, "We were forced to go on strike because of police lathicharge and bursting of tear gas shells on peaceful protesters in front of Vidyut Bhawan. However, after the assurance from the energy minister, we decided to defer our strike till Monday. The final decision would be taken after a meeting with the minister on Monday."

However, the state government officials had put the blame on agitated crowd.