A TEAM of MP Central Region Power Distribution Company (MPCRPDC) personnel that had gone to Arjun Nagar slums on the by-pass to snap illegal power connections was allegedly attacked by slum-dwellers on Tuesday morning.
According to information, MPSEB personnel reached Arjun Nagar slums at about 11 am. The team had gone there to snap illegal connections taken by the slum-dwellers directly from electric poles.
However, as soon as the employees tried to remove the illegal connections, a group of slum-dwellers attacked them. Some of the attackers were even armed with wooden sticks and rods and they also pelted stones on the MPSEB staff.
“A few MPSEB personnel sustained minor injuries in the attack but no one was seriously hurt,’’ Bhopal City Circle Superintending Engineer (SE) M K Gupta told the Hindustan Times confirming the incident. Gupta lamented lack of police protection to the MPSEB personnel who go to sever illegal connections, particularly in slums.
“We have requested the police department several times but it is not always that we are able to get police protection, as the police personnel are busy in other duties too,’’ Gupta stated.
{{/usCountry}}“We have requested the police department several times but it is not always that we are able to get police protection, as the police personnel are busy in other duties too,’’ Gupta stated.
{{/usCountry}}Emphasising that the slum areas were the main source of power theft in the City, Gupta pointed out “as much as 1.75 crore units of power – worth nearly Rs 5.5 crore – were being stolen monthly from slum areas in the City”.