Restoration of 33000 KV line in Pattan continues under police protection
Many arrested following mob attack on power infra, govt officials, media
Photo/Reyaz Rashid
Baramulla, Mar 24: Following Friday’s violent clashes in Ahmadpora Pattan when residents of the area damaged 33000 KV electricity supply line passing through the village which disrupted electricity to dozens of villages in Budgam and Magam, police has arrested several “miscreants” and provided security to PDD for resorting the power line.
Violent clashes on Friday had left Additional Superintendent of Police Baramulla and dozens of cops including four journalists seriously injured when a mob attacked them while disallowing Power Development Department (PDD) to install 33000 KV electricity supply line from the village.
Police has arrested several “miscreants” and deployed security to main law and order in the area while the PDD has also started restoration work of damaged 33000 KV electricity supply line.
Witness said after PDD installed fresh 33000 KV electricity line from Ahmedpora grid station to villages of Budgam and Magam, the local villagers objected and hampered the work.
“During Thursday night the villagers damaged the line by uprooting and cutting dozes of poles passing from village leaving dozens of villages of Budgam and Magam in complete darkness,” said a local resident Ali Mohammad.
Situation turned ugly when officials of PDD flanked by SDM Pattan, Tehsildar Pattan and Additional SP Baramulla tired to motivate the people to allow installation of line through the village. But the angry protestors attacked the officials and police by pelting stones on the officials and the police besides some journalists who were there covering the incident.
“The protestors while attacking police, also thrashed media-persons who had come to cover the protest and broke their vehicles and cameras. The injured journalists had narrow escape and some sustained injuries. Those injured include Rahi Nissar, Saleem and Shabroz Malik,” said Mudasir, a journalist who also was injured.
“They damaged our vehicles and cameras, and attacked us brutally. We had a narrow escape as they attacked us with stones, swords and iron rods,” he added.
DC Baramulla Dr. Nisar Ahmad Naqash, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Baramulla Imtiyaz Hussain and other officials were also present in the area to pacify the violent protestors.
Meanwhile, Baramulla Working Journalist Association (BWJA) and North Kashmir Working Journalists Association has condemned the attack on media and demanded stern action against the assailants.
Deputy Commissioner Baramulla said that situation is under control in the Ahmedpora and electricity to the areas fed with this line will be resorted within couple of days.
Station House Officer (SHO) Police Station Pattan, Saleem Ahmed said that a case (FIR no. 61 of 2018) under Section 307 RPC has been registered and several miscreants have been arrested.
He added police has provided adequate security to PDD and restoration of power supply is underway.
