Locals thrash JE over irregularities in power supply

Bhogarai: Tension ran high at Mahismunda village under Bhogarai block in Bhadrak district on Friday after a Junior Engineer (JE) of electrical department was thrashed by the locals over alleged irregularities in power supply.

The victim has been identified as Madan Mohan Sahoo.

According to information, Sahoo had gone to inspect electrical connectivity to an irrigation point when a group of farmers, including women, thrashed him black and blue. Police, who rushed to the spot to rescue the official, were also assaulted by the villagers.

“We have requested the concerned officials several times to provide electricity supply to the agricultural field, but nothing has been done. Absence of electricity for the past fifteen days has led to lack of water supply to the field through pipes resulting in crop damage”, a local resident alleged.