Frequent power outage has triggered protests by people in different areas of Sylhet district since beginning of the Ramadan.

At places, the protesters attacked and damaged REB offices and assaulted its staff, resulting in clashes with police.

Sources said the power supply situation deteriorated as four generation units in three power stations in the region are out of order.

Subscribers in upazilas are the worst sufferers. People in Balaganj, Golapganj and Jakiganj headquarters came out on streets and rampaged RED (Rural Electrification Board) offices in the last few days.

In all these places, cases have been filed against protesters for alleged vandalism, which has caused commotion among the people.

In Jakiganj upazila headquarters people brought out a procession after the Tarabih prayers and held a rally on the premises of REB office Saturday night.

They protested the frequent power outage and demanded power supply at least during Tarabih, Iftar and Sehri.

At a stage, some of the protesters swooped on the offices of REB and

the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).

They also pelted brickbats on police who went to control the situation.

Some policemen were also injured, police said.

Three cases were filed for attacking police, damaging the offices of REB and the UNO. Prior to beginning of Ramadan, locals in a memorandum to the UNO and others concerned had demanded uninterrupted power supply during the month of Ramadan and Durga puja.

At Balaganj upazila headquarters on the same night (Saturday), devotees from two mosques in a procession went to the REB office. They physically assaulted the staff and damaged furniture.

Being informed, the UNO rushed there and assured them of smooth power supply to mosques during prayer time, if necessary from generator at the REB office. In Golapganj, police had to go for action to control agitating people who attacked the REB office Saturday night for smooth power supply

Load shedding of electricity for hours together is an everyday affair in Sylhet for the last three months, causing great sufferings to people.

Small industries and factories are also suffering a lot.

A high official in Power Development Board while talking to The Daily Star yesterday said the peak hour (5 pm to 11 pm) demand for power in four districts of Sylhet division is 170 to 180 Megawatt. There was 40 to 50 percent load shedding during peak hour in the area since March.

The situation deteriorated recently as several generation units went out of order, he said seeking anonymity.

“We have no alternative to keeping power supply suspended for hours in areas”, the official said.

“We have nothing to do till supply from the National Grid is increased, which is not expected soon”, he said.

The situation in city suburbs like Khadimnagar, Tukerbazar Salutikor, Lalabazar, Srirampur, Kuchai, Hetimganj is worse.

Residents there said once gone, power does not return there in 4-5 hours.

Different social organisations and political parties held rallies and brought out processions in the city in the last few weeks demanding smooth power supply. They threatened of tougher agitation if the situation does not improve.