Angry residents of a village in Punjab's Amritsar district took to the streets on Wednesday, accusing officials from the electricity department of conducting aggressive early morning raids and harassing local families. The protest in the Jaintipur area of the Majitha constituency has sparked significant political backlash, with a Member of Parliament visiting the site and condemning the alleged actions.
Dawn Raids and Allegations of Harassment
According to the protesters and local MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, the incident occurred around 5 am on Wednesday. A group of workers, described as private electricity staff accompanied by one or two department officials, reportedly entered Jaintipur village. The villagers allege that these individuals had their faces covered and proceeded to barge into multiple homes without proper cause or warning.
The core of the complaint is that the staff members behaved in an abusive and intimidating manner. Protesters claim that women and other family members were harassed during these forced entries. The sudden nature of the raids at dawn has left the community feeling violated and fearful.
Political Outcry and Demands for Accountability
The situation quickly drew political attention. MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla visited the protest site to express solidarity with the villagers. He strongly criticized the state government and the concerned department for the alleged misconduct.
Aujla stated that despite repeated calls for help, no police personnel reportedly reached the spot during or immediately after the incident, raising questions about law enforcement response. He framed the event as a symptom of a larger problem, accusing the government of attempting to rule through fear and intimidation.
"People cannot be ruled by harassing them," Aujla said. "The public knows how to bring a government to power, and they also know how to bring it down. Atrocities against the people must stop." He demanded immediate and strict action against all officials and staff involved in the alleged dawn raids.
Community Stands Firm Against Intimidation
The protest underscores growing tensions between utility service providers and the communities they serve. The residents of Jaintipur have made it clear that they will not tolerate what they perceive as high-handed and disrespectful behavior from government department staff.
The incident has shifted from a local grievance to a political issue, with calls for transparency and accountability in how government departments interact with citizens. The demand is for governance that respects the dignity and rights of people, especially within their own homes.
As the investigation is awaited, the protest has successfully highlighted the villagers' plight and put pressure on the authorities to address their complaints seriously and take corrective measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
