Storm-hit power system lies damaged for 10 days

The people of Phulbari upazila under the district are badly suffering in the scorching summer as the electricity connection, disrupted during a storm on May 23 night, sees very little restoration in ten days.

Nineteen electric poles were uprooted and around 50km wiring was damaged during the storm, said officials of Power Development Board (PDB) in Phulbari.

"People are suffering a lot as they cannot use fans or refrigerators. Business is affected too," said Golam Mortuza Manik, mayor of Phulbari municipality.

Protesting demand of bribes for restoration of power connection by field level staffs of PDB, the locals besieged the office in the upazila on Monday.

Later, local administration and police persuaded the agitators to withdraw.

"An electric pole that was uprooted near my house is still lying on the ground. The staff of Phulbari PDB demanded Tk 20,000 as bribe for restoring connection of electricity," said Mizanur Rahman of Barokona village in the upazila.

The affected people are aggrieved over the illogical demand, said Mayor Golam Mortuza Manik.

Nurunnabi Sarker, assistant engineer of PDB in Phulbari upazila, said they have received complaints of bribery and are looking into the matter seriously.