Amethi women stage four-day dharna demanding end to power cuts

Women's Protest Against Power Cuts in Amethi

Hundreds of women in Amethi district have been staging a continuous protest against persistent electricity cuts, sitting on dharna at the 132 KV power sub-station premises for the past four days under the leadership of Reeta Singh, national president of the Reeta Singh Jan Kalyan Samiti. The demonstration, which began on 8 September demanding improvement in the electricity supply system, has seen no senior official visiting the site to speak with the protesters, leading to growing anger among the demonstrating women.

The women say that the electricity supply system in rural areas is extremely poor. Unannounced power cuts are being carried out even at night, causing immense difficulties to people. The women have pitched tents and stationed themselves inside the power sub-station complex to press their demands. Despite heavy rain, strong winds and harsh sunlight, the women are refusing to leave the spot. They are cooking and eating at the dharna site itself and continuing their agitation without a break.

The protesting women say their movement will continue until their demands are taken seriously and a senior official reaches the spot and holds talks with them. They have made it clear they will not budge from their position until meaningful dialogue takes place.

According to the demonstrators, a similar protest was staged around two months ago demanding improvement in the electricity supply system. They allege that during that protest, a case was registered against Reeta Singh and some others. The women are now demanding that alongside fixing the electricity system, that case should also be withdrawn.

Despite the agitation continuing for four days, the failure of administrative officials to reach the site has now begun to raise questions about what circumstances have forced such a large number of women to sit on dharna and why the officials responsible for resolving their problems have not yet reached the spot. The women remain adamant that until concrete steps are taken to address the power crisis in rural areas and senior authorities engage with them directly, their protest will not end. The situation continues to unfold with no immediate resolution in sight.