3 arrested for tying TPWODL workers to electric pole

Malay Ray | TNNRourkela: Three villagers of Deogarh district were on Thursday arrested for allegedly tying three workers of TP Western Odisha Distribution Limited (TPWODL) to an electric pole in protest over prolonged power disruption.The electrical section officer of Tileibani, Prasant Behera, lodged an FIR at Reamal police station on Thursday afternoon against some villagers, following which, the trio was arrested.The three men were identified as Debadutta Behera (36) and Gajanand Sahu (39) of Dudhianali village and Chandan Barik (39) of Mundabaira village.“Further investigation into the case is underway,” S Pradhan, ASI (Kansar police outpost), said.According to sources, the incident took place in Dudhianali village under Tileibani block. There was no power supply in Dudhianali and its nearby village for the last four days following damage caused by a storm (nor’wester). The villagers even claimed that despite repeated complaints, restoration work had not been done.On Thursday, three workers reached Dudhianali village to work for restoring power supply but some agitated villagers allegedly detained the workers, tied them to the electric pole for over two hours and demanded that senior officials of the electricity department visit the spot and address their grievances. They even clicked a photograph of the three workers tied to the pole and sent it to senior TPWODL officials.The residents alleged that the prolonged power outage had severely affected agricultural activities, causing damage to crops and vegetable cultivation in the area. The villagers also claimed repeated complaints had failed to give any immediate solution, which had led to frustration.On receiving information about the incident, officials from Kansar police outpost reached the village and talked to the agitated protesters, following which, the irate villagers freed the three workers.