No power supply since Jan 15, JCT Mill workers stage protest

Workers and residents of Thapar Colony, associated with JCT Mill, Phagwara, staged a demonstration outside the XEN office on Banga Road today. They are demanding the restoration of their electricity supply, which has been disconnected since January 15. The protest was led by Councilor Ravi Sidhu and Kamal Saroj, State Press Secretary of Shiv Sena (UBT).

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The workers’ delegation approached XEN Hardeep Singh at his office, requesting immediate restoration of power supply. The discussion, however, turned heated, as he allegedly refused to cooperate, citing directives from the CMD in Patiala for the disconnection. When the delegation sought a copy of the CMD’s orders, the XEN allegedly misbehaved with them, leading to the workers staging a sit-in outside his office.

Addressing the protesters, Ravi Sidhu and Kamal Saroj accused the XEN of collusion with JCT Mill owner Sameer Thapar, claiming that the power disconnection was an intentional move to harass the workers and force them out of the colony.

The agitated workers raised slogans against the PSPCL department, demanding the immediate resumption of electricity supply. They declared their intention to continue the protest until their demands were met.

Upon receiving information about the demonstration, City SHO Amandeep Nahar and Naib Tehsildar Mandip Singh arrived at the scene to pacify the protestors. Copies of the disconnection orders were provided to Ravi Sidhu and Kamal Saroj. XEN Hardip Kumar said the department officials are following the rules.

The delegation submitted a memorandum to Phagwara SDM, highlighting the hardships faced by thousands of families in Thapar Colony due to the power cuts. The memorandum also demanded urgent action to restore the supply. Copies of the memorandum were reportedly sent to the CMD in Patiala, the Deputy Commissioner of Kapurthala, Power Minister and the CM.