After attacks, UP power personnel seek police protection

Alarmed at recent attacks on power stations and linemen of the electricity department, the Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Abhiyanta Sangh has sought police protection.

Seeking deployment of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) at power sub-stations and gunners for engineers, the organisation demanded that in view of the recent attacks on them, police protection was a must for discharging their duties.

"There have been serious and growing incidents of violence against us after power cuts. In such circumstances, the government must give us protection against the ire of the people," organisation president R.K. Singh said.

He said the organisation has given a 10-point memorandum to state principal secretary (power) Sanjay Agarawal in connection with their problems, including security and safety.

Incidents of violence, manhandling of officials and vandalising property at power sub-stations have been reported from many parts of the state in the past fortnight, following unscheduled power cuts.

Linemen, engineers and other staff were working overtime to ensure uninterrupted power supply, said the organisation's general security D.C. Dixit.

He said there were attacks on them at many places across the state.

"We are being physically targeted and given life threats, power sub-stations are being vandalized... in such circumstances, we need 24x7 on-duty security," he said.