Gaibandha protesters besiege power office

9 March 2009, 18:00 PM

Our Correspondent, Gaibandha

Hundreds of people including farmers, traders and students yesterday laid siege to Saghata Upazila Rural Electrification Board Office demanding regular power supply. A protest procession brought out against erratic power supply also paraded a road in the upazila. Demonstrators said irregularity in power supply has continued for a month in Saghata upazila and the situation worsened during the last five days when there was no power supply from 7:00am to 11:00pm. As the electricity-run irrigation equipment remained inoperative for want of power, prospect of Boro crop in the area seems bleak, said local farmers. Power supply in the region is much below the amount required for irrigation in Boro fields, they said. Once power supply is snapped, it takes two hours or more to get it again, said Abdul Gafur, a trader of Saghata upazila. Students, especially the SSC candidates, are facing serious problem due to the power shortage. It is also affecting trade and commerce in the area. Normal life is badly disturbed as erratic power supply is causing sufferings to people with rising temperature. Gaibandha Power Development Board office source said 15MW power supply is needed to meet the demand in the district, but at present only 5 to 6 MW power is available from national grid.