Locals block roads in Jammu to protest power cuts

Locals today staged protests against the Jammu and Kashmir government over frequent power cuts by blocking roads in several areas of the district.
BJP activists along with the residents of Janipur area of the city staged a rally demanding uninterrupted power supply and shouted slogans against Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the state Power Development Department (PDD).
Leading the protest, BJP state secretary Munish Sharma claimed that the area had been without electricity since past three days due to the burning of the transformer in the area.
"The transformer had not been attended to by the PDD staff till today despite repeated requests," he said.

The protesters blocked the traffic at Janipur's Main Chowk for more than two hours and demanded immediate action against PDD officers concerned for neglecting their duty.
"It seems the NC-Congress administration has not comprehended the public sentiments that got revealed during the recent elections," he said while addressing the crowd.

"Complacency and casual attitude of the official machinery have to be a thing of the past and responsive and accountable conduct has to be adopted," he added.
Similar protests were held at Rajpora, R S Pura, Muthi areas of the district.
Locals blocked roads and burnt effigies demanding immediate end to frequent power cuts and demanded uninterrupted electricity supply for at least 7 to 8 hours.

Meanwhile, PDP also attacked the PDD and the state government for their failure to provide uninterrupted power supply to the people of Jammu.
"PDD headed by the Chief Minister himself has failed to provide people the power supply here. The transformers are damaged at several places and unscheduled power cuts for 8 to 9 hours are witnessed in other areas. The government has collapsed," PDP's Jammu vice president Vikramjeet Singh said.