Mangalore: Mescom faces protestors' wrath over frequent power cuts

Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (VM)

Mangalore, Apr 8: The members of Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha on Monday April 8 staged a protest against Mescom over unscheduled power cuts near its office at A B Shetty cicle here.

The protestors claimed that the power generated at Jog Falls and UPCL is diverted to places like Bangalore and Hassan, while people in the coastal region are suffering because of frequent and unscheduled power cuts.

They also pointed out that as exams are going on, students are finding it tough to study, especially with power cuts after evening hours. The farmers too are facing difficulties, they said.

State vice-president of the Sangha Vijay Hegde said that when Jog and UPCL power plants were set, the people of the coastal region were promised better power supply, but later other districts benefited. "Give power generated by Jog station to us and take UPCL for others," he said.

He demanded that MD of Mescom Sumanth meet the protestors on the spot. Instead, Mescom vigilant SP Ravi Narayan arrived and spoke to the protestors.

Arguments erupted between the protestors and Mescom officials, with the protestors stating that Mescom services were not good and that their problems had remained unsolved despite several appeals.

When the MD did not come even after repeated demands, the protestors began remove their clothes. Finally he arrived and discussions between the two groups continued for another 45 minutes or so.

The protestors also alleged that Mescom Uppinangady joint engineer Sheshappa Poojary has created problems for the farmers by removing their water pump sets and even sent one of the farmers to jail for four days. They demanded immediate dismissal of Poojary.

To this, MD Sumanth replied that the officials will carry out an enquiry and further action will be taken based on their report.

A memorandum was also submitted to the MD, who promised to consider their demands, after which the protestors dispersed.

Speaking to media persons later, Vijay Hegde said that though several protests have been staged in the past, the MD had never met them and this was the first time. "The MD told us that there is shortage of coal in UPCL and hence there is frequent power cut. Let the Mescom at least go for systematic and scheduled load shedding so that we do not suffer so much. The Mescom has been careless about everything," he said.

On demand to dismiss Sheshappa Poojary, he said they gave have Mescom a deadline of 24 hours, failing which the protest would be intensified on Tuesday April 9 with the participation of students also. "The MD has assured that he would look into the matter," Hegde said.