UP govt deploys police for power staff security

In the wake of incidents of stone pelting and attack on power department officials, the UP government has ordered deployment of police at power sub-stations in Noida and Ghaziabad.

In the wake of incidents of stone pelting and attack on power department officials, the UP government has ordered deployment of police at power sub-stations in Noida and Ghaziabad.

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Recently, an electricity department employee in Noida was thrashed when residents lost their cool over prolonged power cuts. There have been protests at power sub-stations, too.

The state government has directed the district magistrates to provide security at these installations. In a letter to the local administration, the government admitted that it was not possible to bridge the demand-supply gap and power cuts have to be resorted to.

"I have directed the police to ensure security at power stations," said MKS Sundaram, district magistrate, Gautam Budh Nagar. Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) chairman Avnish Kumar Awasthi said peak power demand in the state is 12,000 MW. There is a gap of 2,000 MW between supply and demand.

"Residents have turned violent and held demonstrations at various substations and assaulted the staff. To avoid recurrence of such incidents, we have requested security," said Awasthi.