Farmers Protest Power Cuts at Ghens Electricity Office; Warn of Bigger Stir

Ghens, Bargarh: The fields of Ghens are usually a symbol of hard work and growth, but today they became a scene of deep frustration. Hundreds of farmers, worried about their drying crops, gathered to surround the local electricity office. The reason is simple: without steady power, they cannot pump water, and without water, their entire year's hard work will turn to dust.

For weeks, these farmers have dealt with "hide-and-seek" power cuts and voltage so low that their motors won't even start. They’ve tried talking to officials before, but their pleas fell on deaf ears. Today, they decided they wouldn't leave until they were heard.

The situation became heated when the farmers discovered that the senior officials (the SDO and JE) were nowhere to be found. Many believe the officers fled the office just to avoid the crowd. Later, when told the officers were "on leave," the farmers felt it was just another excuse to run away from responsibility.

One farmer, his voice heavy with emotion, spoke for the group:

"We toil in the scorching sun, shedding our sweat and blood to provide food for the nation. But because of the electricity department’s careless policies, our crops are now on the verge of ruin. If we are not provided with the service we deserve, we will no longer remain silent."

The protest lasted for hours until a senior engineer arrived. He sat with the farmers and promised that the technical issues would be fixed and steady power would return within 3 to 4 days.

Trusting this word, the farmers ended their sit-in, but they didn't leave without a final warning. They made it clear that if the power isn't fixed by the weekend, they won't just protest at the local office—they will take their fight to the district level. For these families, this isn't just about electricity; it’s about survival.